t LI BRARY OF CONGRESS, 

# UMTED STATES OF AMERICA. 



READINGS AT HOME 



fwlgtap of C|t Cjmrt| 



BY 



MRS. MARY E. TOWNSEND. 



C DRESDEN: 

PRINTED I!Y E. BLOCHMANN AND SOX. 
MDCCCLXYII. 



T3 V*t%~i 

,Tfa5 



Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1S67 
by MART E. TOWNSEtf D in the Clerk's office of the district 
conrt of the United States for the Southern district of 
New-York. 



TO THE 

JUL B M O R Y 

OF 

MY MOTHER. 



PREFACE. 



THIS book is a selection principally from the 
Bible and the Book of Common Prayer of such 
Texts, Prayers, Psalms and Hymns, as seemed 
most applicable to the respective Holydays of 
the Church, and is published only in the hope 
that it may suggest appropriate meditations for 
those who from ill -health or other causes are 
prevented from attending the Services of the 
Church. 

April 1807. 

M. E. T. 



CONTENTS. 



Page 

Saint Andrew's Day 1 

Saint Thomas' Day 5 

Christmas Day . . 10 

Saint Stephen's Day 13 

Saint John the Evangelist's Day 17 

The Holy Innocents' Day 22 

The Circumcision of Christ 27 

Epiphany 32 

Conversion of Saint Paul 37 

The Purification of the Virgin Mary 43 

Saint Matthias' Day 48 

The Annunciation of the Virgin Mary 53 

Ash -Wednesday . 58 

Monday before Easter G3 

Tuesday before Easter 08 

Wednesday before Easter 73 

Thursday before Easter . . . 77 

Good Friday 82 

Easter-Even 88 

Monday in Easter -Week 92 

Tuesday in Easter-Week 97 

Saint Mark's Day 101 

Saint Philip and Saint James' Day 104 

Ascension-Day 108 

Monday in Whitsun-Week 113 

Tuesday in Whitsun-Week 117 

Saint Barnabas' Day 123 



VIII 

rage 

Saint John the Baptist's Day 12S 

Saint Peter's Day 133 

Saint James the Apostle's Day 1:58 

Saint Bartholomew's Day 143 

Saint Matthew's Day 147 

Saint Michael and All Angels' Day 152 

Saint Luke's Day 160 

Saint Simon and Saint Ju«le'< Day 166 

All Saints" Dav 170 



SAINT ANDREW'S DAY 

NOVEMBER 30. 



ANDREW, one of the twelve Apostles was a brother 
of Simon Peter and like him a fisherman. He had 
evidently been first a disciple of John the Baptist. 
The Evangelist Saint John says in his gospel in speak- 
ing of the Baptist: "Again the next day after John 
stood and two of his disciples; and looking npon 
Jesus as he walked he saith , Behold the Lamb of 
God ! And the two disciples heard him speak , and 
they followed Jesus". Then they saw where he 
dwelt and abode with him that day. "One of the 
two which heard John speak and followed Jesus was 
Andrew, Simon Peter's brother". 

Saint Andrew preached in various countries , but 
when in Achaia his zeal cost him his life. For the 
unbelieving Governor ordered him to be scourged 
and then crucified. It is recorded that in order to 
make his death more lingering he was fastened to 
the cross with cords instead of nails. 

The cross was constructed in the shape of the 
letter X and is known by the name of Saint Andrew's 



Cross. Even while dying lie taught the people, en- 
during his martyrdom "with the greatest cheerful- 
ness and triumph." 



TEXTS. 

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of 
my heart, he alway acceptable in thy sight, Lord, 
my strength and my redeemer. Ps xix. 14—15. 

Rend your heart and not your garments. 

Joel ii, 3. 

For with the heart man believeth unto righteous- 
ness, and with the mouth confession is made unto 
salvation. 

(See Epistle for the day.) 

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, 
but the Lord pondeieth the hearts. 



PEAIEE. 

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, 
all desires known, and from whom no secrets are 
hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the in- 
spiration of Thy Holy Spirit : that we may perfectly 
loye Thee , and worthily magnify thy holy Xame : 
through Christ our Lord. Amen. 



— From the Psalter. Psalm cxiv, 15, 16, 17. — 

The eyes of all wait upon thee , Lord ; and 
thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou 



openest thy hand, and fillest all things living with 
plenteousness. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, 
and holy in all his works. 



— Selection of Psalms xiv, Part 1, Verse 1. 

No change of time shall ever shock 
My firm affection Lord to thee, 
For thou hast always been my rock 
A fortress and defence to me. 



— Hymn 98, Verse 1. — 

"Go preach my gospel" saith the Lord, 
"Bid the whole earth my grace receive: 

Explain to them my sacred word, 
Bid them believe, obey, and live." 



COLLECT. 

Almighty God, who didst give such grace unto 
thy holy Apostle Saint Andrew, that he readily 
obeyed the calling of thy Son Jesus Christ, and 
followed him without delay ; grant unto us all, that 
we being called by thy holy Word, may forthwith 
give up ourselves obediently to fulfil thy holy com- 
mandments ; through the same Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



-^c^SS 



"In doing is the knowledge won 
Of seeing what remains undone; 

Let this our pride repress, 
And give us grace, a growing store, 
That day by day we may do more 

And may esteem it less." 



SAINT THOMAS'S DAY. 

DECEMBER 21. 



THOMAS called Didymus was, like Andrew and Peter, 
a fisherman. He had much zeal and courage and 
would die for his Lord, or with him if need be. 
And yet after our Saviour's resurection he would 
not at first believe in that great event. But Jesus 
shewed him the prints of the nails in his hands and 
his feet, saying "Be not faithless but beheving". — 
He preached in India as well as in other places, and 
was put to death by the Indian soldiery who were 
instigated to this cruelty by the Brahmins. 



TEXTS. 

Let us run with patience the race that is set be- 
fore us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher 

Of our faith. Hebrews xii, 1,2. 

Whom having not seen ye love ; in whom though 
now ye see him not, yet beheving, ye rejoice with 
joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the 
end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 

1. Peter i, 8, 9. 



6 



And lie did not many mighty works there, because 
of their unbelief. St. Matt.xiii, 53. 

Daughter be of good comfort, thy faith hath made 
thee whole. st. Matt, ix, 22. 



PiUYER. 

Almighty and everlasting God, give unto us the 
increase of faith, hope and charity; and that we 
may obtain that winch thou dost promise, make us 
to love that which thou dost command, though Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



— From Psalter, Psalm xxv, 3, 4. — 

Shew me thy ways Lord, and teach me thy 
paths. Lead me forth in thy truth, and learn me ; 
for thou art the God of my salvation ; in thee hath 
been my hope all the day long. 



— Selection of Psalms Hl, 1,3. — ■ 

My soul for help on God rely, 

On him alone thy trust repose; 

My rock and health will strength supply 

To bear the shock of all my foes. 

In him ye people always trust, 
Before his throne pour out your hearts, 
For God, the merciful and just, 
His timely aid to us imparts. 



— Hymn 142, Verses 2, 3. — 

Vain are our fancies, vain our flights 

If faith be cold and dead; 
None but a living power unites 

To Christ the living Head. 
The faith which new-creates the heart, 

And works by active love, 
Will bid all sinful joys depart 

And lift the thoughts above. 



COLLECT. 

Almighty and ever-living God, who for the greater 
confirmation of the faith didst suffer thy holy Apostle 
Thomas to be doubtful in thy Son's resurrection; 
grant us so perfectly and without all doubt to be- 
lieve in thy Son Jesus Christ, that our faith in thy 
sight may never be reproved. Hear us Lord 
through the same Jesus Christ ; to whom with Thee 
and the Holy Ghost be all honor and glory, now 
and for evermore. Amen. 



"WHOM NOT HAVING SEEN WE LOVE." 

"It is easy to love when eye meets eye, 

And the glance reveals the heart, 
When the flush on the cheek can the soul bespeak, 

And the lips in gladness part; 
There's a thrilling of bliss, in the loving kiss, 

And a spell in a kindly tone, 
And the spirit hath chains of tenderness, 

To fetter and bind its own." 

"But a holier spell and a deeper joy 

From a purer fountain flow, 
When the soul sends higher its incense fire 

And rests no more below ; 
When the heart goes up to the gate of Heaven 

And bows before the Throne, 
And striking its harp for sins forgiven 

Calls the Saviour all its own." 

"Though we gaze not now on the lovely brow 

That felt for us the thorn; 
Though afar from home we pilgrims roam, 

And our feet with toil are worn; 
Though we never have pressed that pierced hand, 

It is stretched our lives above; 
And we own His care in grateful prayer 

Whom not having seen we love". 



9 



"We have felt Him near for many a year, 

When, at eve, we Lent the knee; 
That mercy-breath, that glorious faith, 

Dear Saviour came from Thee! 
When we stood beside the dying bed 

And watched the loved one go, 
In the darkening hour, we felt His power 

And it hushed the waves of woe". 

"And still as we climb the hills of time, 

And the lamp of life grows dim, 
We are hastening on from faith to sight, 

We are pressing near to Him; 
And away from idols of earthly mould, 

Enraptured we gaze above, 
And long to be where His arms enfold, 

Whom not having seen we love". 



10 



CHRISTMAS DAT 

DECEMBER 26. 



Glory to God in the highest , and on earth 
Peace, good will toward men. 



TEXTS. 



But Mary kept all these things and pondered them 
in her heart. st . Lllke ii; 19 

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is 
given, and the Government shall be upon his shoulder: 
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, 
The mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince 
of Peace. Tsaiah ix 6 . 



PRATER, 

Almighty God give us grace that we may cast 
away the works of darkness, and put upon us the 
armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, 
in which thy Son, Jesus Christ came to visit us in 



11 



great humility ; that in the last day when he shall 
come again in his glorious majesty, to judge both 
the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life 
immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with 
thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen. 



— From the Psalter, Psalm iii, 7. — 

Salvation belongeth unto the Lord : and thy bless- 
ing is upon thy people. 



— Selection of Psalms xxi, 7. — 

Erect your heads eternal gates, 
Unfold to entertain 
The King of Glory : see ! he comes 
With his celestial train. 



— Hymn 44, Verse 4. — 

Mercy and truth, with sweet accord, 
His rising beams adorn ; 
Let Heaven and Earth in concert sing, 
"The promised Child is born". 



COLLECT. 

Almighty God who hast given us thy only-begot- 
ten Son, to take our nature upon Him, and as at 
this time to be born of a pure Virgin ; grant that 



12 



we being regenerate, and made thy children by 
adoption and grace , may daily be renewed by thy 
Holy Spirit ; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, 
who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the same 
Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen. 



-W&t^^gNL- 



CHRISTMAS. 

The Shepherds sing; and shall I silent be? 

My God no hymn for thee? 
My soul's a shepherd too; a flock it feeds 

Of thoughts, and words, and deeds : 
The pasture is Thy Word ; the streams, Thy grace 

Enriching all the place, 
Shepherd and flock shall sing and all my powers 

Outsing the daylight hours. 

George Herbert. 



13 



SAINT STEPHEN'S DAY. 

DECEMBER 26. 

SAINT STEPHEN was the first Christian Martyr. 
He was appointed by the Apostles to be one of seven 
Deacons. He performed miracles and eloquently in- 
structed the Jews. But they disputed with him, 
and becoming terribly enraged , they cast him out 
of the city of Jerusalem and stoned him to death, 
while he prayed to God to forgive them. "And 
devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made 
great lamentation over him". A. D. 34. 



TEXTS. 

And he kneeled down and cried with, a loud voice, 
Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when 
he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts v>'i, go. 

Blessed are they which are persecuted for right- 
eousness' sake ; for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 

St. Matth. v, 10. 

Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee 
a crown of life. Rev . j 10. 



14 

— From the Psalter, Psalm cxix. (Lucerna pedibus meis) 

Verses 5, G, 8. 

My soul is alway in my hand ; yet do I not 
forget thy law. The ungodly have laid a snare 
for me ; but yet I swerve not from thy command- 
ments. I have applied my heart to fulfil thy statutes 
alway, even unto the end. 



PRAYER. 

We beseech thee Almighty God, look upon the 
hearty desires of thy humble servants, and stretch 
forth the right hand of thy Majesty to be our de- 
fence against all our enemies, through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 



— Selection of Psalms viii, Verse 4.— 

All those who have His goodness proved 
Will in his truth confide ; 
AVhose mercy ne'er forsook the man ' 
That on His help relied. 



— Hymn 112, Verses 1, 2. — 

Lo! what a cloud of witnesses 
Encompass us around; 
Men once like us with suffering tried, 
But now with glory crowned. 



15 



Let us with zeal like theirs inspired 
Strive in the Christian race, 
And freed from every weight of sin, 
Their holy footsteps trace. 



COLLECT. 

Grant 0! Lord that in all our sufferings here 
upon earth , for the testimony of the truth we may 
steadfastly look up to heaven, and by faith behold 
the glory that shall be revealed ; and being filled 
with the Holy Ghost may learn to love and bless 
our persecutors, by the example of the first Martyr, 
Saint Stephen, who prayed for his murderers , to 
Thee, blessed Jesus, who standest at the right 
hand of God to succour all those who suffer for Thee, 
our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen. 




1G 



BE READY FOR THE DAYS ARE EVIL. 

Let me suffer wrong without complaining, 
While myself from doing wrong abstaining, 

Through Thy grace and strength, Lord, I pray ! 
Let me never smite the hand that smites me, 
But do good to him who ill requites me; 

Thus prepare me for the evil day. 

My true Peace and Saviour, be Thou near me, 
That in suffering I may not grow weary; 

Be Thou near me to direct my way; 
Streugthen Thou my soul when foes assail her, 
That Thy patient Spirit may not fail her, — • 

Thus prepare me for the evil day; 

That herself in patience still possessing, 
She may find e'en woes to be a blessing, . 

Nor account them strange when they arise; 
Point her to the happy realms above her, 
Where departed Saints, who dearly love her, 

Wait to greet her in the opening skies. 

— Spitta.-- 

(From Massie's translation.) 



SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST'S 
DAY. 



DECEMBElt 



SAINT JOHN the "beloved disciple" was the son 
of Zebedee and the brother of Saint James. He 
appears to have been especially chosen with Saint 
James and Saint Peter by our Lord to be with Him 
on several important occasions. They alone were 
permitted to enter with Jesus into the house of the 
Ruler of the Synagogue, when our Saviour raised 
his daughter from the dead. The same three wit- 
nessed the marvellous Transfiguration ; and in the 
sad hour of agony were with Jesus at Gethsemane. 
Saint John and Saint Peter were selected by the 
Lord to bring the ass upon which he was to ride 
triumphantly into Jerusalem; and they two were 
also sent from Bethany to Jerusalem to "prepare the 
Passover". Saint John (as well as Saint Andrew) 
had been formerly a disciple of John the Baptist. 
He is supposed to have been about 30 years of age 
when called by our Saviour. He was the author of a 
Gospel, three Epistles and the Book of the Revelation. 
This last was written after the visions which he 



18 

beheld in the isle of Patmos. To that place he was 
banished by the Roman Emperor Domitian. It is 
said that the Apostle had been previously sent by 
order of the same Emperor to Rome, and cast into 
a cauldron of boiling oil, but from this he was taken 
out unhurt. He was recalled from banishment by 
the Emperor Nerva, and then lived at Ephesus until 
the commencemeut of the reign of Trajan, when he 
died at the age of 100 years. He was the only one 
of the twelve Apostles who died a natural death. 



TEXTS. 

And when he had gone a little farther thence, 
he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his 
brother, who also were in the ship, mending their 
nets. And straightway he called them ; and they 
left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired 
servants, and went after him. st. Mark i, 19, 20. 

"When Jesus therefore saw his Mother and the 
disciple standing by whom he loved, he saith unto 
hi« Mother: "Woman, behold thy Son"! Then saith 
he to the disciple; "Behold thy Mother! and from 
that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. 

St. John, xix, 26, 27. 

I, John who also am your brother and companion 
in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of 
Jesus Christ was in the isle which is called Patmos, 
for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus 
Christ. I was in the Spirit, on the Lord's day, and 
heard behind me, a great voice, as of a trumpet, 



1!) 



saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the 

last. Revelation of St. John, i, 9, 10 and part of 11. versos. 



PRAYER. 



Blessed Lord who has caused all holy Scriptures 
to be written for our learning, grant that we may 
in such wise, hear them, read, mark, learn and in- 
wardly digest them, that by patience and comfort 
of thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold 
fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou 
hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 



— From Psalter. Psalm cxlv, 17, 18.— 

The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy 
in all his works. The Lord is nigh unto all them 
that call upon him ; yea , all such as call upon him 
faithfully. 



Selection of Psalms cv, Verses 1, 2. 

Lord, forever at thy side 

Let my place and portion be; 

Strip me of the robe of pride, 
Clothe me with humility. 

Meekly may my soul receive 
All thy Spirit had revealed; 

Thou hast spoken — I believe, 
Though the oracle be sealed. 



20 



— Hymn 97, Verses 1, 4. — 

Go forth ye heralds in my name, 
Sweetly the gospel trumpet sound; 

The glorious Jubilee proclaim, 

"Where 'er the human race is found. 

Freely from me ye have received, 
Freely in love to others give ; 

Thus shall your doctrines be believed 
And, by your labours sinners live. 



COLLECT. 



Merciful Lord, we beseech thee to cast thy bright 
beams of light upon thy Church, that it being in- 
structed by the doctrine of thy blessed Apostle and 
Evangelist, Saint John, may so walk in the light 
of thy truth, that it may at length attain to ever- 
lasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 




21 



FOR ORDINATION. 

Christ to the young man said: "Yet one thing more 

If thou woulds't perfect he, 
Sell all thou hast and give it to the poor 

And come and follow me" ! 

And evermore heside him on his way 
The unseen Christ shall move, 

That he may lean upon His arm and say 
"Dost Thou, dear Lord approve 1 '? 

Beside him at the marriage-feast shall be 

To make the scene more fair ; 
Beside him in the dark Gethsemane 

Of pain and midnight-prayer! 

Oh holy trust! Oh endless sense of rest! 

Like the beloved John 
To lay his head upon his Saviour's breast 

And thus to journey on! 

Longfellow. 



'<&&&&*■ 



HE HOLY INNOCENTS' DAY. 

DECEMBER 28. 



"The Holy Innocents" is the name applied to those 
unfortunate little children of Bethlehem "from two 
years old and under", who were cruelly slain by 
command of Herod, King of Judea. He had been 
told by the "Wise Men that the King of the Jews 
(Jesus our Sayiour). was to be born in Bethlehem. 
He feared that his own kingdom would be in danger, 
and thought that by causing all the little ones to 
be killed the Holy One whom he dreaded could by 
no means escape. But Joseph being warned of God 
took the young child and His Mother away to the 
land of Egypt, where they remained until after the 
death of the wicked Herod. It is recorded by 
Josephus, of this wretched man, that before his 
death "he was smitten with many plagues and 
tortures". 



TEXTS. 

Then Herod when he saw that he was mocked 
of the Wise Men . was exceeding wroth, and sent 



23 

forth and slew all the children that were in Beth- 
lehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years 
old and under, according to the time which he had 
diligently enquired of the Wise Men. 

St. Matth. ii, 16. 

And they brought young children to him that 
he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked 
them that brought them. But when Jesus saw it 
he was much displeased and said unto them, Suffer 
the little children to come unto me, and forbid them 
not ; for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I 
say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the king- 
dom of God as a little child, he shall not enter 
therein. And he took them up in his arms, put 
his hands upon them and blessed them. 

St. Mark x, 13, 14, 15. 

Doth not Wisdom cry? and understanding put 
forth her voice? Now, therefore hearken unto me 
ye children: for blessed are they that keep my 

Ways. Proverbs viii, 1, 32. 

My little children, let us not love in word neither 
in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 

1 John iii, 13. 

I will write unto you little children, because your 
sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. 

1 John ii, 12. 



PRAYER, 



Almighty and most merciful God, of thy boun- 
tiful goodness, keep us we beseech thee, from all 
things that may hurt us ; that we being ready both 



24 



in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those 
things which thou commandest ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 



— From Psalter. Psalm xxxiv, 11, 13, 14.— 

Come, ye children, and hearken unto me ; I will 
teach you the fear of the Lord. Keep thy tongue 
from evil, and thy lips that they speak no guile. 
Eschew evil, and do good; seek peace and ensue it. 



— Selection of Psalms cv, Verse 3. — 

Humble as a little child, 

Weaned from the mother's breast, 
By no subtilties beguiled, 

On thy faithful word I rest. 



— Hymn 127, Verse 1, 3.— 

As the sweet flower that scents the morn, 
But withers in the rising day ; 

Thus lovely was this Infant's dawn, 
Thus swiftly fled its life away. 

It died to sin, it died to cares, 
But for a moment felt the rod; 

Oh! mourner, such the Lord declares, 
Such are the children of our God. 



25 

COLLECT. 

Aimighty God, who out of the mouth of babes 
and sucklings hast ordained strength and made in- 
fants to glorify thee by their deaths; Mortify and 
kill all vices in us, and so strengthen us by thy 
grace, that by the innocency of our lives and con- 
stancy of our faith, even unto death, we may glorify 
thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

A MOTPIER OF BETHLEHEM. 

"A child now lives who Israel's King shall be, 

So Herod jealous trembling, yet in wrath, 
Has to his soldiers giv'n a stern decree, 

And, fearing One, strikes all from out his path 
From two years old and under." — What is this 

Judea's cruel king would now have done? 
My babe, my treasure and my only bliss 

Thou shalt not die, — thy life is just begun : — 
Ah, no! Why need I fear? — It cannot be! 

No man could slay an innocent young child, 
Ah, no, no, no! — Would any murder thee, 

Poor little, tender creature undefiled? — 
Besides, thou art no king and ne'er shalt be ; 

Though other babes must die, yet safe thou art; 
No regal, purple robe awaiteth thee, 

Thine only throne is in thy Mother's heart! — 
We are so very humble — , I am sure 

That if the soldiers come they '11 pass us by; 
For once 't is very sweet to be so poor, 

So poor that thou may'st live, — too poor to die ! 



2G 



They say, some sheperds watching flocks at night 

Heard angel-voices singing from afar; 
That Eastern Magi saw a wondrous light 

And sought the Child-King, guided by a star: — 
— Oh, have they found, or are they seeking on? — 

Some say the infant sleeps in lowly place; 
Why, so dost thou my babe, and lo ! my son, 

Now shines a radiant star upon thy face : 
And why might not for thee sweet Angels sing? — 

(In sooth thou hast a very kingly air!) 
And hark ! — The people come to hail thee, King ! 
— -My God, ' tis Herod's soldiers ! — Spare, oh, spare ! 

M. E. TOWNSEND. 




THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST. 

JANUARY 1. 



Ihis day is according to the Jewish mode of reck- 
oning, the eighth day from Christmas day (for the 
Jews always reckoned in the day from which they 
counted, as we see when Christ is said to have 
risen again on the third day), and so it was on 
this day that, according to the law of Moses, our 
blessed Lord was circumcised and received the holy 
name "Jesus", or "Saviour", and it is this event 
which the Church keeps in memory to day. Thus 
the year begins with Christ". 



TEXTS. 

For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the God- 
head bodily. In whom also ye are circumcised with 
the circumcision made without hands, in putting 
off the body of the sins of the flesh by the cir- 
cumcision of Christ: buried with him in baptism, 
wherein also ye are risen with him through the 



28 



faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him 
from the dead. Coiossians ii, 9, 11, 12. 

And if Christ he in you, the body is dead he- 
cause of sin ; hut the Spirit is life hecause of right- 
eousness. For if ye live after the flesh ye shall die : 
but if ye through the spirit do mortify the deeds of 
the body, ye shall live. Romans viii, 13. 

But God forbid that I should glory save in the 
cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world 
is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For 
in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any 
thing, nor ' uncircumcision, but a new creature. 

Galatians vi , 14, 15. 

For we are the circumcision which worship God 
in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus and have 
no confidence in the flesh. vml in, 3. 

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation 
hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that deny- 
ing ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live 
soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. 

Titus ii, 11, 12. 



PRAYER. 

Lord we beseech thee grant thy people grace to 
withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh 
and the Devil; and with pure hearts and minds to 
follow thee , the only God, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



29 

— From Psalter. Psalm li, 2, 10. — 

Wash me throughly from my wickedness and 
cleanse me from my sin. Make me a clean heart. 
God, and renew a right spirit within me. 



— Selection of Psalms lvii, Verses 2, 3. 

Whom then in Heaven but thee alone, 
Have I, whose favour I require ! 

Throughout the spacious earth there 's 
Compared with Thee that I desire. 

My trembling flesh and aching heart 
May often fail to succour me; 

But God shall inward strength impart 
And my eternal portion be. 



— Hymn 60, Verses 1, 2. — 

Thou to whose all-searching sight 
The darkness shineth as the light, 

Search, prove my heart; it looks to thee, 
Oh burst its bonds and set it free. 

Wash out its stains ; renew its dross, 

Bind my affections to the cross ; 

Hallow each thought till all within 
Be clean, as thou my Lord art clean. 



30 



COLLECT. 

Almighty God, who madest thy blessed Son to 
he circumcised and obedient to the Law for man; 
grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit; that 
our hearts and all our members, being mortified 
from all worldly and carnal lusts, we may in all 
things obey thy blessed will; through the same thy 
Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



-t&sgm^ 



NOTH1NG BUT LEAVES. 

''Nothing but leaves; the Spirit grieves 

Over a wasted life, 
Sin committed while conscience slept, 
Promises made but never kept, 
Hatred, battle and strife: 
Nothing but leaves! 

Nothing but leaves; no garnered sheaves 

Of life's fair ripened grain; 
Words, idle words for earnest deeds;' • 
We sow our seeds, lo ! tares and weeds ; 
We reap with toil and pain 
Nothing but leaves ! 

Nothing but leaves; memory weaves 

No veil to screen the past; 
As we trace our weary way, 
Counting each lost and misspent day, 
We sadly find at last 
Nothing but leaves. 



8.1 



And shall we meet the Master so, 

Bearing our withered leaves? 

The Saviour looks for perfect fruit, — 

We stand before Him, humble, mute ; 

Waiting the word he breathes: — 

Nothing but leaves". 



82 



EPIPHANY. 

JANUARY 6. 



'J his day is the festival of the Manifestation of 
Christ to the Gentiles. The Jews had been led to 
expect from the writings of the Prophets that their 
promised Messiah would appear about the time 
when our Saviour was born. And Gentiles also 
from the East, Wise Men, or Magi, as they were 
called, travelled to Jerusalem, to find and to wor- 
ship this looked for King of the Jews, for they said 
they had seen in the East a wonderful star: "And 
the star, which they saw went before them till it 
came and stood over the place where the young 
Child was." 

When they worshipped him they also presented 
unto him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 
It is said in reference to the symbolic meaning of 
these gifts that they offered frankincense, because 
lie was God; gold, because he was a King; and 
myrrh, because he was to die for mankind. 

Myrrh was used among the Jews to embalm and 
prepare bodies for burial. 



33 



TEXTS. 

The wilderness and the solitary place shall be 
glad for them ; and the desert shall rejoice , and 
blossom as the rose. isaiuh xxxv, 1. 

Tims saith the Lord the Redeemer of Israel, and 
his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him 
whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, 
Kings shall see and arise, Princes also shall wor- 
ship, because of the Lord that is faithful, and the 
Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. 

Isaiah xlix, 7. 

And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and 
all Kings thy glory : and thou shalt be called by a 
new name; which the mouth of the Lord shall 

name. Isaiah lxn, ?. 

Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also 
of the Gentiles? yes, of the Gentiles also. 

Romans iii, 29. 

For the Scripture saith, whosoever believeth on 
liim shall not be ashamed. For there is no diffe- 
rence between the Jew and the Greek : for the same 
Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 

Romans x, 11, 12. 

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why 
dost thou set at nought thy brother? For we shall 
all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For 
it is written , as I live saith the Lord, every knee 
shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess 
to God. 



34 

For so hath the Lord commanded us , saying , I 
have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that 
thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of 
the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this they 
were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord. 

Acts xiii, 47, 48. 

Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a 
truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons ; 
But in every nation he that feareth him and worketh 
righteousness is accepted with him. Acts x, 34, 35. 



PRAYER. 

merciful God who hast made all men, and 
hatest nothing that thou hast made, nor desirest 
the death of a sinner, but rather that he should 
be converted and live ; Have mercy upon all Jews, 
Turks , Infidels and Heretics ; and take from them 
all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of 
thy word ; and so bring them home, Blessed Lord, 
to thy flock, that they may be saved among the 
remnant of the true Israelites, and be made one 
fold, under one Shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy 
Spirit , one God world without end. Amen. 



— From Psalter. Psalm cxlv, Verses 4, 7, 9. — 

One generation shall praise thy works with an- 
other, and declare thy power. The memorial of thy 
abundant kindness shall be showed: and men shall 



35 



sing of thy righteousness. The Lord is loving unto 
every man; and his mercy is over all his works. 



Selection of Psalms xvii, Part 3, Verse 7. 

Then shall the glad converted world 
To God their homage pay; 
And scattered nations of the earth 
One sovreign Lord obey. 



— Hymn 42, Verse 2.— 

Israel 1 s strength and consolation, 
Hope of all the saints thou art; 

Long desired of every nation, 
Joy of every waiting heart. 



COLLECT. 

Oh God, who by the leading of a star, did^t 
manifest thy only -begotten Son to the Gentiles; 
Mercifully grant that we who know thee now by 
faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy 
glorious Godhead; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



Cc) 



"Bright was the guiding star that led 

With mild, benignant ray, 
The Gentiles to the lowly shed, 

Where the Redeemer lay. 

"But lo! a brighter, clearer light 

Now points to His abode ; 
It shines through sin and sorrow's night, 

To guide us to our God. 

"0 gladly tread the narrow path 
While light and grace are given ! 

Who meekly follow Christ on earth 
Shall reign with Him in heaven." 



-^@J<3 



37 



CONVERSION OF SAINT PAUL. 



SAINT PAUL was originally called Saul. He was 
a Jew, of the sect of the Pharisees. Zeal was a 
prominent trait of his character. While yet a young 
man (being then an unbeliever in Jesus), he mani- 
fested it by persecuting with great fury all who 
called themselves Christians. At the time of the 
stoning to death of Saint Stephen, Saul was a 
looker on, gladly participating no doubt in the cruel 
feelings which prompted the persecutors. 

It is recorded that the "witnesses" laid down 
their clothes at the feet of Saul, while they took 
their part in the stoning of Stephen. In the Jewish 
law it was required in the case of punishment by 
stoning that "the two or three witnesses" of the 
offence should be the first to cast the stones, "and 
afterwards the hands of all the people" should join 
in accomplishing the punishment. (See Deuteronomy 
xxvii, verses 6, 7.) "And Saul was consenting 
unto his death"; after which he seems to have 
become more and more cruel, for "he made havoc 



of the Church, entering into every house, and, ha- 
ling men and women, committed them to prison." 
We find too that in the following year (A. D. 35) 
"Saul yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter 
against the disciples of the Lord , went unto the 
High Priests and desired of them letters to Damascus 
to the synagogues, that if he found any of this 
way, whether they were men or women he might 
bring them bound unto Jerusalem". — But he was 
suddenly and wonderfully checked in his mad career 
and was converted ; then having been baptized, and 
after tarrying "certain days with the disciples which 
were at Damascus", "he straightway preached Christ 
in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God". — 
The Jews afterwards took counsel to kill him, for 
he had joined himself to their enemies, the Christians ; 
but the disciples saved his life, by letting him down 
by the city-wall in a basket. He then went to 
Jerusalem, but so universally had his cruel zeal of 
former days become known, that at first the disciples 
in Jerusalem were afraid of him. "But Barnabas 
took him and brought him -to the Apostles"; tell- 
ing them of all that had come to pass. So then 
he remained a long time among them, "speaking 
boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus". Barnabas 
and Paul were associated many times in good works, 
during the following ten years, as will be seen by 
reading the Acts. When at Iconium some of the 
unbelieving Jews caused "Saul, who is also called 
Paul" to be stoned; but he was not killed, and 
the next day he continued his labours with Barna- 
bas, preaching the gospel, "confirming the souls of 
the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the 
faith, and that we must through much tribulation 



39 



enter into the kingdom of God". — Saint Luke's ac- 
count of Saint Paul's doings, as he relates them in 
the Acts of the Apostles, is most interesting; in- 
dicating very plainly that Saint Paul continued until 
the end of his days to be a zealous, untiring teacher 
of the doctrines of Christianity. Notwithstanding 
that he suffered wonderful hardships in many ways, 
"he preached the gospel in Jerusalem, Arabia, Asia, 
Greece, Illyricum, Rome and to the utmost bounds 
of the Western world", tie suffered martyrdom by 
being beheaded, in the 68* h year of his age, at 
the time of the great persecution of all Christians 
in the reign of the Emperor Nero. 



TEXTS. 



And he fell to the earth and heard a voice say- 
ing unto him : Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me ? 

Acts ix, 4. 

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who hath 
enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, put- 
ting me into the ministry ; Who was before a blas- 
phemer and a persecutor, and injurious: but I ob- 
tained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 

1 Timothy i, 12, 13. 

And the night following, the Lord stood by him, 
and said: Be of good cheer Paul; for as thou hast 
testified of me in Jerusalem , so must thou bear 
witness also at Rome. Acts xxin , 11. 

Unto me who am less than the least of all saints 
is this grace given that I should preach among the 
Gentiles, the unsearchable riches of Christ. 

Ephesiaus iii , 8. 



4U 

PRATER. 

Grant we beseech thee Almighty God, that we. 
who for our evil deeds, do worthily deserve to be 
punished, may by the comfort of thy grace merci- 
fully be relieved; through our Lord and Saviour 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 



— From Psalter. Psalm xxv, 6,1. — 

Oh, remember not the sins and offences of my 
youth ; but according to thy mercy, think thou upon 
me. Lord, for thy goodness. Gracious and righ- 
teous is the Lord; therefore will he teach sinners 
in the way. 



— Selection of Psalms xxvii, Terse 1. — 

No sooner I my wounds disclosed, 
The guilt that tortured me within, 

But thy forgiveness interposed 

And mercy's healing balm poured in. 



Hvmn 185. — 



Since I've known a Saviour's name 
And sin's strong fetters broke. 

Careful, without care I am, 
Nor feel my easy yoke; 

Joyful now my faith to show 
I find his service my reward : 

All the work I do below 
Is liof-ht . for such a Lord. 



41 

COLLECT. 

God who through the preaching of thy blessed 
Apostle Saint Paul , hast caused the light of the 
Gospel to shine throughout the world; Grant we 
beseech thee, that we, having his wonderful con- 
version in remembrance, may show forth our thank- 
fulness unto thee for the same, by following the 
holy doctrine which he taught, through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 



THE HEAVENLY SOWING. 

Sower Divine, 
Sow the good seed in me, 
Seed for eternity; 
"lis a rough barren soil, 
Yet by Thy care and toil, 
Make it a fruitful field, 
A hundredfold to yield; 

Sower divine, 
Plough up this heart of mine ! 

Sower divine! 
Quit not this wretched field, 
Till Thou hast made it yield ; 
Sow Thou by day and night, 
In darkness and in light. 
Stay not Thy hand, but sow, 
Then shall the harvest grow; 

Sower divine, 
Sow deep this heart of mine ! 



42 

Sower divine ! 
Let not this barren clay 
Lead Thee to turn away; 
Let not my fruitlessness 
Provoke Thee not to bless 
Let not this field be dry 
Refresh it from on high. 

Sower divine 
Water this heart of mine ! 






H. Boxar. 



C r^.-Vrl^ 



4a 



THE PURIFICATION OF THE 
VIRGIN MARY. 

FEBRUARY 2. 

AND when the days of her purification according 
to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought 
him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord. 

St. Luke ii, 22. 

This was at the end of forty days ; and was done 
in obedience to the established Jewish law. On 
this occasion the mother of Jesus offered the custo- 
mary sacrifice in the Temple, which in her case 
was a pair of turtle-doves and two young pigeons. 
For she was poor and "unable to attain to the 
more costly offering which the Law prescribed to 
those who could afford it, — namely a lamb of the 
first year". (See Leviticus xii, 2, 4, 6.) — But how 
must the humble and poor mother's heart have been 
thrilled when (before she went with the babe and 
her husband back to "their own city Nazareth", 
and while yet in God's Holy Temple), the just and 
devout Simeon took the child up in his arms, blessed 



44 



God, and said, "Lord now lettest thou thy servant 
depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine 
eyes have seen thy salvation" ! — Then came in Anna 
the prophetess, a venerable widow "which departed 
not from the Temple, but served God with fastings 
and prayers night and day". "She gave thanks 
likewise unto the Lord , and spake of Him to all 
them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem". — 
Thus both a holy man and a holy woman were 
ready to rejoice in God's mercy, to proclaim the 
world's Saviour, to bless the Virgin Mother in the 
hour of her purification (though a sword should 
pierce through her own soul), — and to prophesy 
wonderful things of the child whom she had pre- 
sented to the Lord! — We may readily believe, as 
it is recorded in the Gospel, that "Joseph and His 
mother marvelled at those things which were spoken 
of Him". 



TEXTS. 

Blessed are the pure in heart ; for they shall see 

God. St. Matt, v, 8. 

And the Angel said unto her , Fear not Mary ; 
for thou hast found favour with God. 

St. Luke i, 30. 

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 
For he hath regarded the low estate of his hand- 
maiden: for, behold from henceforth all generations 
shall call me blessed. St. Luke i, 46, 47, 48. 



45 



These all continued with one accord in prayer 
and supplication, with the women and Mary the 
mother of Jesus and with his brethren. Acts i, 14. 



PRATER. 

Let thy merciful ears, Lord, be open to the 
prayers of thy humble servants ; and that they may 
obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things 
as shall please thee ;■ through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Amen. 



— From Psalter. Psalm xxxiv, Verses 2, 4, 10, 11. — 

My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into 
the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh 
rejoice in the living God. Blessed are they who 
dwell in thy house; they will be alway praising 
thee. For one day in thy courts is better than 
a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in 
the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents 
of ungodliness. 

— Selection of Psalms 1, 1, 4.— 

For thee , God , our constant praise 
In Zion waits thy chosen seat; 

Our promised altars there we'll raise, 
And all our zealous vows complete. 

Bless'd is the man who near thee placed, 
Within thy sacred dwelling lives ; 

Tis there abundantly we taste 

The vast delights thy temple gives. 



46 



— Hymn 24, Verses 3, 4. — 

Behold the Ark of God, 
Behold the open door; 

Hasten to gain that dear abode 
And rove my soul no more. 

There safe thou shalt abide, 

There sweet shall be thy rest, 

And every longing satisfied 
With full salvation blest. 



COLLECT. 

Almighty and everlasting God, we humbly be- 
seech thy Majesty that as thy only-begotten Son 
was this day presented in the Temple, in substance 
of our flesh, so we may be presented unto thee with 
pure and clean hearts by the same thy Son Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



47 



Saviour pure and holy, 

Lover of the lowly, 

Sign us with Thy sign, 
Take our hands in Thine, 
Take our hands and come, 
Lead thy children home! 

Star of morn and even, 
Shine on us from Heaven, 
From Thy glory-throne 
Hear thy very own ! 
Lord and Saviour come, 
Lead us to our home! 



Francis T. Palgrave. 



4* 



SAINT MATTHIAS' DAY 

FEBRUARY 24. 



AFTER our Saviour Jesus Christ had ascended into 
Heaven, and the eleven Apostles were left alone on 
earth, to go and do all things as He had com- 
manded them, they were one day assembled, with 
many other disciples, when Peter stood up in the 
midst and told the multitude that the Scripture 
must needs be fulfilled, and that one among them 
must be chosen to take part of the ministry and 
Apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell. 
"Then out of the number of men who had com- 
panied with the Apostles all the time that the Lord 
Jesus went in and out among them, from the time 
of the baptism by John, until the day that Jesus 
ascended into heaven, they ordained one to be a 
witness of his resurrection also with them". He 
was to take the place of the traitor, making thus 
again the number of the Apostles twelve. First, 
then, two were selected from the crowd of belie- 
vers and prayer was made to God that He would 
show which of those two He had chosen. "And 
they gave forth their lots, and the lot fell upon 



49 



Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven 
Apostles" . 

He was probably one of the seventy disciples 
who, as it is recorded in Saint Luke's Gospel, 
(chap, x) were appointed by our Lord to go be- 
fore him through every city teaching, and healing 
the sick. 

"He preached first in Judea; and afterwards, ac- 
cording to Saint Jerome, went to the East, where 
after he had converted many to Christ, he obtained 
the crown of martyrdom". 



TEXTS. 

Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly 
is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye there- 
fore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send 
forth labourers into his harvest. st. Luke x, 2. 

Thou therefore my Son, be strong in the grace 
that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou 
hast heard of me, among many witnesses, the same 
commit thou to faithful men , who shall be able to 
teach others also. 2 Timothy n, 1, 2. 

Preach the word ; be instant in season , out of 
season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suf- 
fering and doctrine. 2 Timothy iv, 2. 



PRATER. 

Almighty Grod who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst 
give to thy holy Apostles many excellent gifts, and 
didst charge them to feed thy flock, give grace we 



50 



beseech thee to all Bishops, the Pastors of thy 
Church, that they may diligently preach thy Word 
and duly administer the godly discipline thereof; 
and grant to the people that they may obediently 
follow the same : that all may receive the crown of 
everlasting glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



— From Psalter. Psalm ci. 4. 9. — 

I will take no wicked thing in hand; I hate 
the sins of unfaithfulness ; there shall no such cleave 
unto me. Whose leadeth a godly life, he shall be 
mv servant. 



-Selection of Psalms cviii. Verses 9, 10.- 

Biess God. ye servants that attend 
Upon his solemn state ; 
That in his Temple's hallowed courts 
With humble reverence wait. 

Within his house lift up your hands 
And bless his holy Name; 
From Zion bless thy Israel , Lord. 
Who Earth and Heaven didst frame. 



— Hymn 10, Verses 1. 5. — 

Father of mercies, bow thine ear 
Attentive to our earnest prayer. 
We plead for those who plead for thee, 
Successful pleaders may they be. 



Let thronging multitudes around 
Hear from their lips the joyful sound 
In humble strains thy grace implore 
And feel thy new-creating power. 



COLLECT. 



Almighty God, who into the place of the trai- 
tor Judas didst choose thy faithful servant Matthias 
to be of the number of the twelve Apostles ; Grant 
that thy Church, being always preserved from false 
Apostles, may be ordered and guided by faithful 
and true Pastors; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 



Amen. 



-*&&&&«- 



NOW. 



"Arise! for the day is passing 
While you lie dreaming on: 
Your brothers are cased in armour 
And forth to the fight are gone; 
Your place in the ranks awaits you 
Each man has a part to play ; 
The past and the future are nothing 
In the face of the stern to-day". 

"Arise from your dreams of the future 
Of gaining a hard fought field; 
Of storming the airy fortress; 
Of bidding the giant yield. 



52 



Your future has deeds of glory, 
Of honor (God grant it may!) 
But your arm will never be stronger 
Or needed as Now, to-day'\ 

Arise ! if the past detain you 

Her sunshine and storms forget; 

No claims so unworthy to hold you 

As those of a vain regret: — 

Sad or bright she is lifeless ever: 

Cast her phantom arms away, 

Nor look back save to learn the lesson, 

Of a nobler strife to-day. 

"Arise! for the hour is passing; 
The sound that you dimly hear 
Is your enemy marching to battle — 
Rise ! rise, for the foe is here ! 
Stay not to brighten your weapons 
Or the hour will strike at last; 
And from dreams of a coming battle 
You will waken, and find it past." 



^S 



53 



THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE 
VIRGIN MARY. 

MARCH 25. 



" lHE x\ngel Gabriel announced to Zacharias the 
Priest the coming in the flesh of the Lord Jesus 
at the same time that he foretold the birth of 
John the forerunner of Christ. — ■ Six months later 
the same Angel Gabriel announced to the Virgin 
Mary that she should be the mother of "the Saviour 
of the world." This startling communication at first 
filled her pure and gentle spirit with fear ; but she, 
in all meekness, replied to the Angel ; "Behold the 
handmaid of the Lord". 

Yes ! she might well take courage , though im- 
pressed with wondering awe, for had not the Angel 
said "Blessed art thou among women"? 

Let us remember that there is a blessing like- 
wise for all whose characters resemble that of the 
Virgin Mother; for — 



54 



''Still to the lowly soul 

He doth himself impart, 

And for His cradle and His throne 

Chooseth the pure in heart." 



TEXTS. 



And the Angel came in unto her and said, Hail 
thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee ; 
Blessed art thou among women. st. Luke i, 2s. 

Many are in high place and of renown: hut 
mysteries are revealed unto the meek. For the 
power of the Lord is great and he is honoured of 

the lowly. Ecclesiastieus iii. 

And Mary said, behold the handmaid of the Lord ; 
be it unto me according to thy word. And the 
angel departed from her. St. Luke i, 38. 

And of the angels he said , who niaketh his 
angels spirits , and his ministers a flaming fire. But 
unto the Son he saith, Thy throne God, is for 
ever and ever : a sceptre of righteousness is the 

Sceptre of thy kingdom. Hebrews i, 7, s. 

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God. Every spirit 
that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the 
flesh, is of God: and every spirit that confesseth 
not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not 

of God. i j i in j Vj 2, 3. 



55 

PRATER. 

God who hast prepared for those who love 
thee such good things as pass man's understand- 
ing ; Pour into our hearts such love toward thee, 
that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain 
thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



— From Psalter. Psalm Jxxii, verses 18, 19. — 

Blessed be the Lord God, even the God of Israel, 
which only doeth wondrous things ; and blessed be 
the name of his majesty for ever: And all the 
Earth shall be filled with his majesty. Amen, Amen. 



— Selection of Psalms cxiii, verse 3. — 

Surrounded by thy power I stand. 
On every side I find thy hand: 
skill for human reach too high! 
Too dazzling bright for mortal eye ! 



—Hymn 134, verses 1,2.— 

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, 
Uttered or unexpressed; 

The motion of a hidden fire, 
That trembles in the breast. 



56 



Prayer is the burden of a sigli, 
The falling of a tear; 

The upward glancing of an eye, 
When none but God is near. 



COLLECT. 



We beseech thee Lord, pour thy grace into 
our hearts ; that as we have known the incarnation 
of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an Angel, 
so by his cross and passion we may be brought 
unto the glory of his resurrection; through the 
same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Blest among women is thy lot: 
But higher meed we yield thee not, 
Nor more than woman's name. 

Nor solemn 'Hail' to thee we pay 
Nor prayer to thee for mercy pray, 

Nor hymn of glory raise ; 
Nor thine we deem in God's high throne, 
Nor thine the birthright of thy Son 

The Mediator's praise. 

Mother of Jesus, Parent dear ! 

If aught of earthly thou couldst hear, 

If aught of human see; 
What pangs thy humble heart must wring 
To know thy Saviour, Lord and King, 

Dishonour'd thus for thee! — 

Bishop Mant. 



-^g^w- 



58 



ASH -WEDNESDAY- 



FROM THE LITANY. 

J HAT it may please thee to give us true repentance; 
to forgive us all our sins, negligences and ignorances ; 
and to endue us with the grace of thy Holy Spirit 
to amend our lives according to thy Holy Word; 

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord. 



Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be 
thy Xaine. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done 
on earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day 
our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, 
as we forgive those who trespass against us. And 
lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from 
evil : For thine is the kingdom and the power, and 
the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 



59 



And lest through our own frailt}", or the temp- 
tations which encomj)ass us , we be drawn again 
into sin, vouchsafe us, we beseech thee, the direction 
and assistance of thy Holy Spirit. Reform what- 
ever is amiss in the temper and disposition of our 
souls ; that no unclean thoughts, unlawful designs, 
or inordinate desires may rest there. Purge our 
hearts from envy, hatred and malice : that we may 
never suffer the sun to go down uj)on our wrath ; 
but may always go to our rest in peace, charity, 
and good-will, with a conscience void of offence to- 
wards thee, and towards men : That so we may be 
preserved pure and blameless, unto the coming of 
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 



TEXTS. 



Again when the wicked man turneth away from 
his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth 
that which is lawful and right, he shall save his 

SOUl alive. Ezekiel xviii, 27. 

If we say that we have no sin we deceive our- 
selves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess 
our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our 
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

1 John i, 8, 0. 



— From Psalter. Psalm xxvii, 1, 2, 7. — 

Unto thee will I cry, Lord, my strength ; think 
no scorn of me ; lest if thou make as though thou 
nearest not, I become like them that go down into 



GO 



the pit. Hear the voice of my humble petitions, 
when I cry unto thee; when I hold up my hands 
towards the mercy-seat of thy holy temple. — Praised 
be the Lord, for he hath heard the voice of my 
humble petitions. 



— Selection of Psalms lxxx, Verses 1.- 

"VVhen I pour out my soul in prayer, 
Do thou Lord, attend; 
To thy eternal throne of grace 
Let my sad cry ascend. 



— Hymn 59, Verses 2,3,5. — 

Yet sovereign mercy calls "Return" ; 

Dear Lord, and may I come? 
My vile ingratitude I mourn; 

take the wanderer home. 

And canst thou, wilt thou yet forgive, 
And bid my crhnes remove? 

And shall a pardoned rebel live 
To speak thy wondrous love? 

Thy pardoning love, so free, so sweet, 

Dear Saviour, I adore: 
keep me at thy sacred feet, 

And let me rove no more. 



Gl 
COLLECT. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest noth- 
ing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins 
of all those who are penitent, create and make in 
us, new and contrite hearts, that we worthily lament- 
ing our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, 
may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect 
remission and forgiveness ; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



"^^^C^SN^SSO©^ f 



<^^€): 



62 



Father of all my joy. 
Shall I not bring to Thee 
The griefs which oft oppress, 
Which sadly trouble me? 
Wilt Thou not hear my prayer. 
And from Thy throne on high 
In mercy lend Thine ear 
And graciously reply? 

Dangers surround my path, 
Temptations fright my soul, 
And trials make me yield 
To grief beyond control: 
The weight of all my sins 
Is painful to be borne; 
I ask thy firm support: 
Oh! leave me not alone! 

Dear Saviour, Thou hast said 
Thy grace shall ever be 
Sufficient to the need, 
Of all who trust in Thee: 
Oh! wilt Thou grant me faith 
To view Thy blest abode, 
Still trusting in Thy grace 
Closely to walk with God. 

Louisa S. Townsend. 



-^QzfiQy&^r 



MONDAY BEFORE EASTER 



"SAVIOUR when in dust, to Thee, 
Low we bow th' adoring knee; 
When, repentant, to the skies 
Scarce we lift our streaming eyes; 
by all thy pains and woe, 
Suffered once for man below, 
Bending from Thy throne on high, 
Hear our solemn litany". 



TEXTS. 

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, 
believing, ye shall receive. St. Matthew xxi, 22. 

And ye shall be hated of all men, for my name's 
sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the 
same shall be saved. St. Mark xiii, 13. 

And he taught daily in the temple. But the 
chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the 
people sought to destroy him , and could not find 



64 



what they might do : for all the people were very 
attentive to hear him. St. Luke six, 47, 48. 

The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, 
perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold the 
world has gone after him. g t . j obn X j {- ^ 



PRATEK. 



Lord, we beseech thee grant thy people grace 
to withstand the temptations of the world, the 
flesh and the devil ; and with pure hearts and minds 
to follow thee, the only Grod ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 



— From Psalter. Psalm xxxiii, Verses 10,11,12.— 

The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen 
to nought, and maketh the devices of the people 
to be of none effect , and casteth out the counsels 
of princes. The counsel of the Lord shall endure 
for ever, and the thoughts of his heart from gene- 
ration to generation. Blessed are the people whose 
God is the Lord Jehovah; and blessed are the folk 
that he hath chosen to him to be his inheritance. 



— Selection of Psalms x, 1, 2 — 

How long wilt thou forget me Lord? 
Must I for ever mourn? 
How long wilt thou withdraw from me, 
Oh ! never to return ? 



65 



O hear, and to my longing eyes 
Restore Thy wonted light; 
Dawn on my spirit, lest I sleep 
In death's most gloomy night. 



— Hymn 160, Verses 1, 2, 3. — 

When gathering clouds around I view, 
And days are dark, and friends are few, 
On him I lean, who not in vain, 
Experienced every human pain; 
He feels my griefs, he sees my fears 
And counts and treasures up my tears. 

If aught should tempt my soul to stray 

From heavenly wisdom's narrow way, 

To fly the good I would pursue, 

Or do the ill I would not do; 

Still He who felt temptation's power, 

Shall guard me in that dangerous hour. 

When vexing thoughts within me rise 
And, sore dismayed, my spirit dies; 
Then He, who once vouchsafed to bear 
The sickening anguish of despair, 
Shall sweetly soothe , shall gently dry 
The throbbing heart, the streaming eye. 



66 



COLLECT. 



Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy ten- 
der love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our 
Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh, 
and to suffer death upon the cross, that all man- 
kind should follow the example of his great humil- 
ity ; mercifully grant , that we may hoth follow the 
example of his patience, and also be made partak- 
ers of his resurrection ; through the same Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 




07 



Look out beyond , for darkness is within ! 

Hear not too much thy heart, but hear thy Saviour 

speak ; 
Scan not too closely every secret sin, 
Look up unto thy God, He knows that thou art weak. 

Shut not the haunted chambers of thy heart, 
Where hide the sullen shapes of Sin and grim 

Despair, 
But throw thy "soul's large windows" wide apart 
Until God's glowing sunshine flood it everywhere ! 

Then listen while the loving Father cries: 

"Poor child ! My everlasting arms shall thee support; 

Have faith to lean on me,— Awake ! Arise ! 

But go no more astray, for thee I long have sought." 

Oh cease from sin, and pray and hope and trust; — 
Repentant thought should stir thee up to noblest 

deed : 
For others be thy tears, if weep thou must, 
Then tell them of God's love till they rejoice indeed ! 

M. E. TOWNSEND. 



-*&Q®&^- 



68 



TUESDAY BEFORE EASTER: 

'By thy birth and early years, 
By thy human griefs and fears, 
By thy fasting and distress 
In the lonely wilderness, 
By thy victory in the hour 
Of the subtle tempter's power ; 
Jesus look with pitying eye; 
Hear our solemn litanv." 



TEXTS. 

It is good that a man should both hoj3e and 
quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. It is 
good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. 
He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he 

hath borne it Upon him. Lamentations iii, 26, 27, 28. 

And being found in fashion as a man he humbled 
himself and became obedient unto death, even the 
death of the cross. Pi,n. n 8 ^ 



60 



But rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of 
Christ's sufferings, that, when his glory shall be 
revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 

1 Peter iv, 13. 

PRAYER. 

From all sedition, privy conspiracy and rebellion ; 
from all false doctrine , heresy and schism ; from 
hardness of heart and contempt of thy word and 
commandment : Good Lord deliver us. 

(From the Litany ) 



— From Psalter, Psalm lxiv, 1,2,3, ,7. — 

Hear my voice, God, in my prayer; preserve 
my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the 
gathering together of the fro Ward, and from the 
insurrection of wicked doers ; who have whet their 
tongue like a sword, and shoot out their arrows, 
even bitter words ; that they may privily shoot at 
him that is perfect ; suddenly do they hit him and 
fear not. But God shall suddenly shoot at them 
with a swift arrow, that they shall be wounded. 



— Selection of Psalm xvji, Part 3, Verse 5. 

The meek companions of my grief 
Shall find my table spread; 
And all that seek the Lord shall be 
With joys immortal fed. 



— Hymn 143. — 

Jesus Saviour of my soul, 

Let me to thy bosom fly, 
While the waves of trouble roll, 

While the tempest tsill is high: 
Hide me, my Saviour hide, 

Till the storm of life is past; 
Safe into the haven guide; 

receive my soul at last. 

Other refuge have I none, 

Hangs my helpless soul on thee : 
Leave, ah ! leave not alone, 

Still support and comfort me : 
All my trust on thee is stayed, 

All my hope from thee I bring; 
Cover my defenceless head 

With the shadow of thy wing. 



COLLECT. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who of thy ten- 
der love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son our 
Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh 
and to suffer death upon the cross, that all man- 
kind should follow the example of his great humi- 
lity ; mercifully grant that we may both follow the 
example of his patience, and also be made partakers 
of his resurrection, through the same Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 



-<TQ\ 



ms.mm< 



71 



Art tliou weary? Art thou languid? 

Art thou sore distressed? 
"Come to me", saith One, "and coming 

Be at rest". 

Hath He marks to lead me to Him, 

If He be my guide? 
"In His feet and hands are wound-prints 

And His side". 

Is there diadem as Monarch, 

That His brow adorns? 
"Yea, a crown, in very surety 

But of thorns !" 

If I find Him, if I follow 

What His guerdon here? 

"Many a sorrow, many a labour, 
Many a tear." 

If I still cling closely to Him, 

What hath He at last? 
"Sorrow vanquished, labour ended, 

Jordan pass'd". 



72 



If I ask Hiin to receive me, 

Will He say me nay? 
"Not till earth, and not till Heaven 

Pass away!" 

Finding, following, keeping, struggling, 

Is He sure to bless? 
"Angels, martyrs, prophets, virgins, 

Answer, Yes!" 

Selected. 



-*^^®& s ~ 



WEDNESDAY BBFOEE EASTER 



By thine hour of dark despair, 
By thine agony of prayer, 

By the purple robe of scorn, 

By thy wounds, thy crown of thorn, 
By thy cross, thy pangs and cries, 
By thy perfect sacrifice ; 

Jesus, look with pitying eye, 

Hear our solemn litany. 



TEXTS. 



Watch ye and pray lest ye enter into temp- 
tation. The spirit truly is ready but the flesh is 

Weak. St. Mark xiv, 38. 

Behold the hour cometh, yea is now come that 
ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and 
shall leave me alone; and yet I am not alone be- 
cause the Father is with me. st. Matt, xvi, 32. 



74 

Little children yet a little while I am with you. 
Ye shall seek me; and as I said unto the Jews, 
whither I go ye cannot come ; so now I say to you. 

St. John xiii , 33 

But because I have said these things unto you, 
sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell 
you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go 
away, for if I go not away the Comforter will not 
come unto you; but if I depart I will send him 
unto you. St . John xvi , G) 7. 



PRAYER. 

God, forasmuch as without thee , we are not 
able to please thee; mercifully grant that thy Holy 
Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



— From Psalter, Psalm xxxiv, 33,34,38.— 

The ungodly seeth the rigteous, and seeketh oc- 
casion to slay him. The Lord will not leave him 
in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. 
Keep innocency and take heed unto the thing that 
is right ; for that shall bring a man peace at the last. 



— Selection of Psalms xxii, Verses 6, 9. — 

Though all of nearest earthly ties 
Me, in my woe forsake, 
Yet thou whose love excels them all 
Wilt care and pity take. 



God's time with patient faith expect, 
Who will inspire thy breast 
With inward strength, do thou thy part 
And leave to Him the rest. 



— Hymn 133, Verses 3,5. — 

Bowed down beneath a load of sin, 

By Satan sorely pressed, 
By war without and fear within 

I come to Thee for rest. 
Oh wondrous love, to bleed and die 

To bear the Cross and shame, 
That guilty sinners, such as I 

Might plead thy gracious Name. 



COLLECT. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who of thy tender 
love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our 
Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, 
and to suffer death upon the cross, that all man- 
kind should follow the example of his great humi- 
lity; mercifully grant that we may both follow 
the example of his patience, and also be made par- 
takers of his resurrection ; through the same Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amex. 



fis* 



**s-w 



76 



DE PROFUNDIS. 

Out of the depths have I cried unto thee Lord; 
Lord hear my voice. p 8alm cxxx . 

In the depths of grief I lie; 
Saviour look with loving eye, 
Listen to my wailing cry 
De profundis. 

I have sinned and gone astray 
From the safe and narrow way; 
Now for mercy Lord I pray 
De profundis. 

Jesus! leave me not alone 
For my sins I meekly own, 
And my troubled heart doth groan 
De profundis. 

Broken heart and bended knee, 
Saviour, thus I come to thee! 
Pity then, and rescue me 
De profundis. 

And through all my future days, 
I will strive to sing thy praise 
When thou dost my spirit raise 
De profundis. 

M. E. ToWNSEND. 



77 



THURSDAY BEFORE RASTER. 



"By thy deep expiring groan, 
By the sealed sepulchral stone, 

By thy triumph o'er the grave, 

By thy power from death to save; 
Mighty God, ascended Lord, 
To thy throne in Heaven restored, 

Prince and Saviour hear our cry 

Hear our solemn litany." 



TEXTS. 

Pilate therefore said unto him, art thou a King 
then? Jesus answered, thou sayest that I am a 
King. To this end was I born, and for this cause 
came I into the world, that I should bear witness 
unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth 
heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, what is 
truth? And when he had said this, he went out 
again unto the Jews, and said unto them, I find 
in him no fault at all. But ye have a custom that 
I should release unto you one at the passover: Will 
ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the 



78 

Jews? Then cried they all again, saying, not this 
man but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. 

St. John xviii, 37, 38, 39, 40. 

And they went and found as he had said unto 
them: and they made ready the Passover. And 
when the hour was come he sat down and the 
twelve Apostles with him. And he said unto them, 
with desire I have desired to eat this passover with 
you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will 
not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in 
the kingdom of God. And he took the cup and 
gave thanks, and said, Take this and divide it 
among yourselves: For I say unto you. I will not 
drink of the fruit of the vine , until the kingdom 
of God shall come. 8t . Luke xxii 13 _ 18 . 



PRAYER. 

— From the Litany. — 

That it may please thee to have mercy upon all 
men, we beseech thee to hear us, Good Lord. That 
it may please thee to forgive our enemies, perse- 
cutors and slanderers, and to turn their hearts, we 
beseech thee to hear us, Good Lord. 



— From the Psalter. Psalm cxix, Part 14, Verses 3,5,0,8.— 

(Lucerna pedibus ineis.) 

I am troubled above measure: quicken me 
Lord according to thy word. My soul is alway 
in my hand, yet do I not forget thy law. The 
ungodly have laid a snare for me ; but yet I swerved 



79 

not from thy commandments. I have applied my 
heart to fulfil thy statutes alway, even unto 
the end. 



— Selection of Psalm lxvii, Verses 4, 5. — 

To thee, Lord, I cry forlorn, 
My prayer prevents the early morn : 

Why hast thou, Lord, my soul forsook, 
Nor once vouchsafed a gracious look? 

Companions dear and friends beloved, 
Far from my sight thou hast removed : 
God of my life, Lord, most high, 
Vouchsafe to hear my mournful cry! 



— Hymn 175. — 

Jesus and shall it ever he, 
A mortal man ashamed of thee: 
Ashamed of thee whom Angels praise, 
Whose glories shine through endless days? 

Ashamed of Jesus ! empty pride ; 
I'll boast a Saviour crucified, 
And, 0, may this my portion be, 
My Saviour not. ashamed of me. 



80 



COLLECT. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who of thy tender 
mercy towards mankind, hast sent thy Son our 
Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, 
and to suffer death upon the cross , that all man- 
kind should follow the example of his great humi- 
lity ; mercifully grant that we may both follow the 
example of his patience , and also be made parr 
takers of his resurrection ; through the same Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



s&m 






VJ O 



81 



SECRET SIN. 

As a dark river rolling underneath 
The sun-touched mead its stained and sullen tide, 

So doth my soul my lighter life beneath 
Its secret weight of sin and sorrow hide. 

Thine eye, God, all - searching and severe, 
Alone, amidst thy creatures' blindness sees 

How my oppressed and coward soul doth fear 
To take its cross , and hides 'its miseries. 

Powerless the world to spare this bitter cup, 
Powerless to give my fainting soul relief; 

Thy mercy, God, alone can lift me up, 
Thy "Everlasting Arms" are underneath! 

Thou, who only searchest out my sin, 
Thou, who only canst my sin forgive, 

Teach me, repentant, so to follow Him, 
Who bore His Cross, that I may learn to live: 

Then, as the river bursting to the light 
Casts in the sunshine all its stains away, 

May my strong soul, after this Lenten night, 
Regenerate rise to greet the promised Day ! 

J. T. 



82 



WOOD FRIDAY 



"See, He comes forth from the judgement hall 
wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. 
And who is this that comes forth? It is the Man 
of sorrows and acquainted with grief; it is Jesus 
of Nazareth, the despised and rejected of men; 
and yet (Oh wonderful love!) it is our Saviour, 
our King, our God. — Pilate points him out to us 
and says, "Behold the Man" ! — See there that dim 
Cross , standing up against the darkened mid-day 
sky. Trace the suffering form that hangs ' upon it. 
Mark the drops of blood failing fast from the pier- 
ciug thorns upoD His sacred head and raining down 
from the cruel nails, in his holy hands and feet. 
Once again, "Behold the Man", and know that He 
you look uj)on is none other than your God, giv- 
ing his most precious body, shedding his most pre- 
cious blood, to save you from the wrath to come". 



83 
'He suffered and was buried." 



(Nicene Creed.) 



By the mystery of thy holy Incarnation; 
By thy holy Nativity and Circumcision ; 
By thy Baptism, Fasting and Temptation, 
Good Lord, deliver ns. 

By thine Agony and bloody sweat; 
By thy Cross and Passion ; 
By thy precious Death and Burial; 
By thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension; 
And by the coming of the Holy Ghost, 
Good Lord, deliver us. 



THE EXHORTATION. 

And above all things ye must give most hearty 
thanks to God, the Father, the Son and the Holy 
Ghost, for the redemption of the world by the death 
and passion of our Saviour Christ, both God and 
man; who did humble himself even to the death 
upon the Cross, for us, miserable sinners who lay 
in darkness and the shadow of death ; that he might 
make us the children of God, and exalt us to ever- 
lasting life. 



TEXT. 

Who is he that condemneth? — It is Christ that 
died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even 
at the right hand of God, who also maketh inter- 



-4 



cession for us. Who shall separate us from the 
love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or per- 
secution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 
For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, 
nor Angels, nor principalities, nor things present, 
nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any 
other creature, shall be able to separate us from 
the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Romans viii , 34, 35, 38, 39. 



THE THANKSGIVING, 

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we, thine 
unworthy servants, do give Thee most humble and 
hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kind- 
ness to us, and to all men. We bless Thee for 
our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of 
this life ; but above all, for thine inestimable love 
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus 
Christ: for the means of grace, and for the hope 
of glory. And we beseech thee, give us that due 
sense of all thy mercies , that our hearts may be 
unfeignedly thankful, and that we may show forth 
thy jDraise , not only with our lips, but in our lives ; 
by giving up ourselves to thy service, and by walk- 
ing before Thee in holiness and righteousness all 
our days ; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom 
with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and 
o-lorv. world without end. Amen. 



85 

— From Psalter. Psalm xix, 14", 15.— 

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation 
of my heart, be alway acceptable in thy sight, 
Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. 



— Selection of Psalms lxxxix, Verse 3.— 

The Lord hath sworn, nor sworn in vain, 
That like Melchizedek's thy reign 

And priesthood shall no period see: 
Anointed Prince! Thou, bending low 
Shalt drink where darkest torrents flow. 

Then raise thy head in victory ! 



— Hymn 150.— 

Lord with glowing heart I'd praise thee, 

For the bliss thy love bestows ; 
For the pardoning grace that saves me 

And the peace that from it flows: 
Help Grod my weak endeavor; 

This dull soul to rapture raise : 
Thou must light the flame or never 

Can my love be warmed to praise. 

Praise my soul the God that sought thee, 

Wretched wanderer far astray ; 
Found thee lost and kindly brought thee 

From the paths of death away; 
Praise with love's devoutest feeling 

Him who saw thy guilt-born fear, 
And the light of hope revealing, 

Bade the blood-stained Cross appear. 



8G 



Lord this bosom's ardent feeling 

Vainly would rny lips express; 
Low before thy footstool kneeling 

Deign thy supplicant's prayer to bless 
Let thy grace, my soul's chief treasure 

Love's pure flame within me raise: 
And, since words can never measure, 

Let my life show forth thy praise. 



&y*$c 






God, kinsman loved, but not enough! 

man, with eyes majestic after death, 
Whose feet have toiled along our pathways rough, 

Whose lips drawn human breath ! 

By that one likeness which is ours and thine, 

By that one nature which doth hold us kin, 

By that high heaven where, sinless, thou dost shine, 
To draw us sinners in, 

By Thy last silence in the judgement-hall, 

By long foreknowledge of the deadly tree, 
By darkness, by the worm -wood and the gall, 

1 pray Thee visit me. 

Come, lest this heart should, cold and cast away, 
Die ere the guest adored she entertain 

Lest eyes which never saw Thine earthly day 
Should miss Thy heavenly reign. 



87 

Come, weary-eyed from seeking in the night 

Thy wanderers strayed upon the pathless wold, 

Who wounded, dying, cry to Thee for light, 
And camiot find their fold. 

And deign, watcher, with the sleepless brow, 
Pathetic in its yearning — deign reply: 

Is there, is there aught that such as Thou 
Wouldst take from such as I? 

Are there no briers across Thy pathway thrust, 
Are there no thorns that compass it about? 

Nor any stones that Thou wilt deign to trust 
My hands to gather out? 

if Thou wilt, and if such bliss might be, 
It were a cure for doubt, regret, delay — 

Let my lost pathway go — what aileth me? 
There is a better way. 

Jean Ingelow. 



-MS^^S- 



88 



EASTER EVEN. 



AND I LOOK FOR THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD 
AND THE LIFE OF THE WORLD TO COME. 

(Nicene Creed.) 



TEXTS. 

Joseph of Arimathea an honourable counsellor, 
which also waited for the kingdom of God, came 
and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the 
body of Jesus. And he bought fine linen, and took 
him down and wrapped him in the linen, and laid 
him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, 
and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. 

St. Mark xv, 43, 46. 

He will swallow up death in victory; and the 
Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces ; 
and the rebuke of his people shall he take away 
from off all the earth; for the Lord hath spoken it. 

Isaiah xxv, 8. 

I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord ; 
lie that believeth in me , though he were dead yet 



89 



shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth 
in me shall never die. st. John xi, 25, 26. 



PRAYER. 



merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ , who is the resurrection and the life ; in 
whom whosoever believeth, shall live though he 
die ; - and whosoever liveth and believeth in him 
shall not die eternally; who also hath taught us, 
by his holy Apostle Saint Paul, not to be sorry 
as men without hope, for those who sleep in him ; 
We humbly beseech thee, Father, to raise us 
from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness ; 
that when we shall depart this life we may rest 
in him; and that at the general Resurrection in 
the last day we may be found acceptable in thy 
sight, and receive that blessing which thy well be- 
loved Son shall then pronounce to all who love and 
fear Thee, saying, come ye blessed children of my 
Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from 
the beginning of the world. Grant this, we beseech 
Thee, merciful Father, through Jesus Christ our 
Mediator and Redeemer. Amen. 



— From Psalter. Psalm xvi, 9,10,11,12.— 

I have set God always before me; for he is on 
my right hand, therefore I shall not fall. Where- 
fore my heart was glad, and my glory rejoiced; 



20 

my flesh also shall rest in hope. For why? Thou 
shalt not leave my soul in hell; neither shalt thou 
suffer thy Holy One to see corruption. Thou shalt 
show me the path of life ; in thy presence is ful- 
ness of joy ; at thy right hand there are pleasures for 
evermore. 



-Selection of Psalms lxx, Part 1, Verse 4. — 

Thou shalt call on him in trouble 
He will hearken, he will save; 

Here for grief reward thee double. 
Crown with life beyond the grave. 



— Hymn 66, Verses 1, 4, 6. — 

'Tis finished; so the Saviour cried, 
And meekly bowed his head and died, 
'Tis finished ; yes, the work is done, 
The battle fought, the victory won. 

'Tis finished; this my dying groan 
Shall sins of every kind atone; 

Millions shall be redeemed from death 

By this my last expiring breath. 

'Tis finished; let the joyful sound 

Be heard through all the nations round; 

'Tis finished; let the echo fly 

Through heaven and hell, through earth and sky 



91 

COLLECT. 

Grant, Lord, that as we are baptized into the 
death of thy blessed Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, 
so by continual mortifying our corrupt affections 
we may be buried with him ; and that through the 
grave, and gate of death, we may pass to our joy- 
ful resurrection ; for his merits who died, and was 
buried, and rose again for us, thy Son Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

PROBATION. 

Glowing sunny rays of laughter 
Warm the beating heart below; 
Snowy grief-clouds coming after 
Hide the heart 'neath drifts of woe : 

Oh, say, if dying now thou art, 
Or only waiting, buried heart? 

Through the Winter no replying, 
But the heart lies cold and still: 
Is is waiting? Is it dying? 
Only waiting on God's will. 

M. E. TOWNSEND. 




92 



MONDAY IN EASTEK WEEK. 



AND the third day he rose again according to 

THE SCRIPTURES. (Niceue Creed.) 



TEXTS. 



Now upon the first day of the week, very early 
in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, 
bringing the spices which they had prepared, and 
certain others with them. And they found the 
stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they 
entered in, and found not the body of the Lord 
Jesus. And it came to pass as they were much 
perplexed thereabout, behold two men stood by 
them in shining garments: And as they were 
afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, 
they said unto them, why seek ye the living among 
the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember 
how he spake unto you when he was yet in Gali- 
lee, saying, The Son of Man must be delivered into 



the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the 
third day rise again. And they remembered his 
words, and returned from the sepulchre, and told 
all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. 

St. Luke xxiv, 1—9. 

Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself 
and saith unto him, Rabboni, which is to say Master. 
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not ; for I am not 
yet ascended to my Father : but go to my brethren, 
and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father and 
to your Father, and to my God and your God. 

Then the same day at evening, being the first 
day of the week, when the doors were shut where 
the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, 
came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto 
them, Peace be unto you. St . j oh n, xxi, 16, 17, 19. 



THE THANKSGIVING. 

It is very meet, right and our bounden duty, 
that we should at all times and in all places, give 
thanks unto Thee, Lord, Holy Father, Almighty 
everlasting God. But chiefly are we bound to praise 
thee for the glorious Resurrection of thy Son, Jesus 
Christ our Lord: for he is the very Paschal Lamb, 
which was offered for us and hath taken away the 
sin of the world : who by his death hath destroyed 
death, and by his rising to life again, hath restored 
to us everlasting life. Therefore with Angels, and 
Archangels , and with all the company of Heaven, 
we laud and magnify thy glorious name ; evermore 
praising thee and saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord 



94 



God of Hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy 
glory : Glory be to thee Lord Most High. Amen. 



— From Psalter. Psalm lxxiii, 22 — 25.— 

Nevertheless I am away by thee ; for thou hast 
holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide 
me with thy counsel, and after that receive me with 
glory. "Whom have I in Heaven but thee? and 
there is none upon earth that I desire in comparison 
of thee. My flesh and my heart faileth but God is 
the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. 



— Selection of Psalms cxxiv, 28 — 30 Verse 2.— 

By thee alone the living live, 

Hide but thy face, their comforts fly; 

They gather what thy seasons give, 

Take thou away their breath, they die; 

But send again thy Spirit forth 

And life renews the gladdened earth. 



— Hymn 09, Verses 2, 3. — 

Love's redeeming work is done, 
Fought the fight, the victory won ; 
Jesus' agony is o'er, 
Darkness veils the earth no more. 

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, 
Christ has burst the gates of hell; 
Death in vain forbids him rise, 
Christ hath opened Paradise. 



95 



COLLECT. 



Almighty God who through thine only-begotten 
Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death and opened 
unto us the gate of everlasting life; we humbly 
beseech thee, that, as by thy special grace pre- 
venting us thou dost put into our minds good de- 
sires so by thy continual help we may bring the 
same to good effect; through Jesus Christ our Lord 
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy 
Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. 




96 



DIVINE ORDER. 

Tis first the true and then the beautiful, 
Not first the beautiful and then the true ; 

First the wild moor with rock and reed and pool, 
Then the gay garden, rich in scent and hue. 

'Tis first the good and then the beautiful, 
Not first the beautiful and then the good; 

First the rough seed sown in the rougher soil 
Then the flower-blossom or the branching wood. 

Not first the glad and then the sorrowful, 
But first the sorrowful and then the glad; 

Tears for a day, — for earth of tears is full, — 
Then we forget that we were ever sad. 

Not first the bright and after that the dark, 
But first the dark and after that the bright; 

First the thick cloud and then the rainbow's arc, 
First the dark grave, then resurrection-light. 

'Tis first the night, — stern night of storm and war 
Long nights of heavy clouds and veiled skies, 

Then the far-sparkle of the Morning-Star, 
That bids the saints awake and dawn arise ! 

HOEATIUS BoNAK. 



1)7 



TUESDAY IN EASTER WEEK. 



TEXTS. 

And when they had fulfilled all that was written 
of him, they took him down from the tree and laid 
him in a sepulchre. But God raised him from the 
dead : and he was seen many days of them which 
came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who 
are his witnesses unto the people. 

Acts xiii, 29, 30, 31. 

For I delivered unto you first of all that which 
I also received, how that Christ died for our sins 
according to the scriptures ; and that he rose again 
the third day according to the scriptures. 

1 Cor. xv, 2, 3. 



PRAYER. 

Lord the only-begotten Son Jesus Christ; 
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that 
takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon 

7 



m 



us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, 
have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the 
sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that 
sittest at the right hand of God the Father , have 

mercy Upon US. (From the Gloria in Excelsis.) 



— From Psalter. Psalm xxiii, Verses 2, 3, 4. — 

The Lord is my Shepherd; therefore can I lack 
nothing. He shall feed me in a green pasture, and 
lead me forth beside the waters of comfort. Yea, 
though I walk through the valley of the shadow 
of death, I will fear no evil ; for thou art with me ; 
thy rod and thy staff comfort me. 



— Selection of Psalms xiii. Verse 3. — 

Therefore my heart all grief defies. 

My glory does rejoice ; 
My flesh shall rest , in hope to rise 

Waked by his powerful voice. 



— Hymn 61, Verses 1,2.— 

Who is this that comes from Edom, 
All his raiment stained with blood. 

To the captive speaking freedom, 
Bringing and bestowing good ; 

Glorious in the garb he wears, 

Glorious in the spoil he bears? 



99 



'Tis the Saviour, now victorious, 
Travelling onward in his might: 

'Tis the Saviour, how glorious 
To his people is the sight! 

Satan conquered and the grave, 

Jesus now is strong to save. 



COLLECT. 

Almighty Father who hast given thine only Son 
to die for our sins, and to rise again for our justi- 
fication; grant us so to put away the leaven of 
malice and wickedness, that we may always serve 
thee in pureness of living and truth; through the 
merits of the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



fc 



7 '■'• 



100 



lis light at evening time when Thou art present ; 
Thy coming to the eleven in that dim room 
Brightened, Christ! its gloom: 
So bless my lonely hour that memories pleasant 
Around the time a heavenly gleam may cast. 
Which many days shall last ! 

Raise each low aim, refine each high emotion, 

That with more ardent footstep I may press 

Toward Thy holiness ; 
And, braced for sacred duty by devotion. 

Support my cross along that rugged road 

"Which Thou hast sometime trod ! 

I long to see Thee, for my heart is weary: 

when, my Lord! in kindness wilt Thou come 

To call Thy banished home? 
The scenes are cheerless, and the days are dreary; 

From sorrow and from sin I would be free, 

And evermore with Thee! 

Even now I see the golden city shining 

Up the blue depths of that transparent air: 

How happy all is there! 
There breaks a day which never knows declining: 

A Sabbath, through whose circling hours the blest 

Beneath Thy shadow rest ! 

James I). Bubws. 



101 



SAINT MARK'S DAY 

APRIL 25. 



Saint Mark who wrote the gospel which bears his 
name, was the companion and disciple of Saint 
Peter in all his travels. By Saint Peter he was 
sent into Egypt where he founded the Church at 
Alexandria. He afterwards went into Libya, where 
he converted many of the inhabitants to Christian- 
ity. While he was celebrating divine service on 
Easter Day, he was seized by a number of idolaters, 
who dragged him along the ground to prison. Early 
the next morning they dragged him again on the 
the ground, which so tore off his flesh that he 
expired in their arms. 



TEXTS. 



Make me to understand the way of thy precepts, 
so shall I talk of thy wondrous works ; the law 
of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of 
gold and silver. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, 



102 

and a light unto my path. Thy word is very pure, 
therefore thy servant loveth it. 

Psalm cxix, 27, 72, 105, 140. 



PRAYER. 

Lord we beseech thee to keep thy Church, 
and household, continually in thy true religion; 
that they who do lean only upon the hope of thy 
heavenly grace , may evermore be defended by thy 
mighty power; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



— From Psalter. Psalm cxliii, Verse 10. — 

Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee ; 
for thou art my God: let thy loving Spirit lead 
me forth into the land of righteousness. 



— Selection of Psalms cxvii, Verse 4 . — 

My tongue the praises of thy word 
Shall thankfully resound; 
For thy commands are right, thy laws 
With truth and justice crowned. 



— Hymn 2, Verse 1.— 

Father of mercies ! in thy word. 
What endless glory shines ! 
Forever be thy name adored 
For these celestial lines. 



103 

COLLECT. 

Almighty God, who hast instructed thy Holy 
Church with the doctrine of thy Evangelist Saint 
Mark; give us grace that, being not like children 
carried away by every blast of vain doctrine, we 
may be established in the truth of thy holy Gospel ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



JOY IN CHRIST'S PRESENCE ONLY 

"Object of my first desire 

Jesus crucified for me, 
All to happiness aspire ; 

I would it seek, Lord, in Thee: 
Thee to praise, and Thee to know, 
Make the joy of Saints below: 

Thee to see, and Thee to love, 

Make the bliss of Saints above. 

Lord it is not life to live, 
If Thy presence Thou deny; 

Lord, if Thou Thy presence give ; 
'Tis no longer death to die: 

Source and giver of repose, 

Only from Thy love it flows; 
Peace and happiness are Thine : 
Mine thev are if Thou art mine'' 



&c*e*Q$s*£>~i£m *_ 



104 



SAINT PHILIP AND SAINT JAMES- 
DAY. 



IT is believed that Saint Philip preached the gospel 
in Upper Asia. On account of his success in mak- 
ing converts he was thrown into prison, and after- 
wards scourged and crucified. Saint James the 
Less, surnamed the Just, was the son of Alpheus 
or Cleopas. He presided over the Church at Jeru- 
salem. At the feast of the Passover, the Scribes 
and Pharisees threw him from a battlement of the 
Temple , and then, while he prayed for his per- 
secutors, stoned him to death. (A. D. 62.) 



TEXTS. 



Xow Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew 
and Peter. Philip findeth Xathaniel and saith unto 
him, we have found him of whom Moses in the Law, 
and the Prophets, did write, Jesus of Xazareth the 
son of Joseph. And Nathaniel said unto him, can 



105 



there any good tiling come out of Nazareth? Philip 
saith unto him, Come* and see. st. John, i, 44, 45, 46. 

And there were certain Greeks among them that 
came up to worship at the feast : The same came 
therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Gali- 
lee, and desired him saying, Sir we would see Jesus. 

St. John xii, 20, 21. 



James the son of Alpheus. — st. Matth. 



2, 3, 4. 



James a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus 
Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered 
abroad, greeting. Epis ti e f st. James i , 1. 

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, 
and one convert him ; let him know that he which 
converteth the sinner from the error of his ways 
shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a mul- 
titude of Sins. St. James v, 19, 20. 



PRAYER. 



Almighty God who hast given thine only Son to 
be unto us both a sacrifice for sin , and also an 
ensample of godly life ; give us grace that we 
may always most thankfully receive that his in- 
estimable benefit; and also daily endeavor ourselves 
to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; 
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



106 
From Psalter. Psalm xvii. Verses 



hold Thou up my goings in Thy paths, that, 
my footsteps slip not. Show thy marvellous loving- 
kindness, thou that art the Saviour of them which 
put their trust in Thee , from such as resist Thy 
right hand. 



— Selection of Psalms xcvi. Terse 3. — 

Far better 'tis to trust in God, 
And have the Lord our friend 
Than on the greatest human power 
For safety to depend. 



— Hymn 209, Verse 1. — 

Thou art the Way, to thee alone 
From sin and death we flee ; 
And he who would the Father seek 
Must seek him, Lord, by Thee. 



COLLECT. 

Almighty God, whom truly to know is ever- 
lasting life; grant us perfectly to know thy Son 
Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life ; 
that, following the steps of Thy Holy Apostles, 
Saint Philip and Saint James, we may steadfastly 
walk in the way that leadeth to eternal life ; through 
the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



107 



GRIEF. 



There's good in tears , or they had not been sent 
By him who is all good ! It is not wise 

To keep our sorrows in our hearts up pent 

When we can give them freedom from our eyes, 

The storm-cloud only darkens our fair earth, 
Until it falleth down in gentle rain; 

And then what wondrous beauties have their birth ; 
So, when the heart is overcharged with pain 

We see a shadow upon every good; 

But let our heavy sorrows have their way, 
And as they well into a tearful flood 

What comfort may not come? Ah, who can say? 

Grief has a mission holier than joy; 

It moves the selfish, and it warms the cold; 
A common sorrow will e'en pain destroy, 

And change the King and beggar to one mould. 

Our griefs should make us gentler to our kind, 
And as we comfort need more comfort pay; 

So using sorrow, we our tears shall find 

Have washed some grossness of our souls away. 

Selected. 



10S 



ASCENSION DAY. 



rf HEN thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, 
thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all be- 
lievers. 

Thou sittest at the right hand of God in the 
glory of the Father. (Fj . om the TE deum.) 



It is very meet, right and our bounden duty 
that we should at all times and in all places, give 
thanks unto thee Lord, Holy Father , Almighty, 
everlasting God ; through thy most dearly beloved 
Son Jesus Christ our Lord ; who after his most glorious 
Resurrection, manifestly appeared to all his Apostles, 
and in their sight ascended up into Heaven , to pre- 
pare a place for us ; that where he is, thither we 
might also ascend, and reign with him in glory. 
Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with 
all the company of Heaven, we laud, aud magnify 
thy glorious Name : evermore praising thee and say- 



109 



ing , holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts , Heaven 
and Earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee 
Lord, most high. Amen. 



TEXTS. 



I saAV in the night visions, and behold, one like 
the Son of man came with the clouds of Heaven, 
and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought 
him near before him. And there was given him 
dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, 
nations, and languages, should serve him : his do- 
minion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not 
pass away, and his kingdom that winch shall not 
be destroyed. D aniel viij 13j 14 . 

Behold he cometh with clouds ; and every eye 
shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and 
all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. 
Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the be- 
ginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, 
which was, and is to come, the Almighty. 

Revelation i, 7. 8. 



PRAYER. 



God, the King of Glory, who hast exalted 
thy only Son Jesus Christ, with great triumph unto 
thy kingdom in heaven; we beseech thee leave us 
not comfortless ; but send to us thy Holy Spirit to 
comfort us, and exalt us unto the same place whither 
our Saviour Christ has gone before, who liveth and 



110 



reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, 
world without end. Amen. 



— From Psalter. Psalm lvii, Verses 10, 11, 12. — 

I will give thanks unto thee, Lord, among the 
people; and I will sing unto thee among the nations. 
For the greatness of thy mercy reacheth unto the 
heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. Set up 
thyself, God, above the heavens, and thy glory 
above all the earth. 



— Selection of Psalms cxviii, Verses 6, 7. — 

All thy works, Lord, shall bless thee, 
Thee shall all thy saints adore; 

King supreme shall they confess thee, 
And proclaim thy sovereign power. 

They thy might, all might excelling, 
Shall to all mankind make known; 

And the brightness of thy dwelling, ■ 
And the glories of thy throne. 



— Hymn 73, Verses 4, G. — 

Who is the King of Glory, who? 

The Lord who all his foes o'ercame, 
The world, sin, death, and hell o'erthrew 

And Jesus is the Conqueror's name. 



Ill 



Who is the King of Glory, who? 

The Lord, of boundless power possessed, 
The King of Saints and angels too, 

God over all, for ever blest. 



COLLECT. 

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that 
like as we do believe thy only- begotten Son, our 
Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the Heavens ; 
so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, 
and with him continually dwell, who liveth and 
reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, 
world without end. Amen. 



112 

WHAT WE SHALL BE. 

What shall we be, when the freed soul can rise 
With unrestrained and bold aspiring flight 
To Him, who by His wondrous sacrifice, 
Hath opened heaven, and scattered sin's dark night ; 
When from the eye of faith the thin veil drops, 
Like wreaths of mists before the morning's rays, 
And we behold the end of all our hopes, 
The Son of God iu full refulgent blaze! 

What shall we be , when we shall hear Him say ; 
"Come, ye blessed", when we see Him stand, 
Robed in the light of everlasting day, 
Before the throne of God at His right hand; 
When we behold the eyes from which once flowed 
Tears o'er the sin and misery of man, 
And the deep wounds from which the precious blood, 
That made atonement for the world once ran! 

What shall we be, who have in Christ believed, 
What through His grace will be our sweet reward ! 
Eye hath not seen, ear heard, or heart conceived, 
W r hat God for those who love Him hath prepared; 
Let us the steep ascent then boldly climb, 
Our toil and labor will be well repaid; 
Let us haste onward, till in God's good time 
We reap the fruit, a crown that doth not fade. 

Spttta. 

(Massie'a translation.) 



113 



MONDAY IN WHITSUN-WEEK. 



BELIEVE IN THE HOLY GHOST. 

(Nicene Creed.) 



It is very meet, right and our bounden duty, 
that we should at all times, and in all places, give 
thanks unto thee Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, 
everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord; 
according to whose'most true promise the Holy Ghost 
came down, as at this time from Heaven, with a 
sudden great sound , as it had been a mighty wind, 
in the likeness of fiery tongues, lighting upon the 
Apostles , to teach them , and to lead them to all 
truth ; giving them both the gift of divers languages, 
and also boldness with fervent zeal constantly to 
preach the gospel to all nations ; whereby we have 
been brought out of darkness and error into the 
clear light and the knowledge of thee and of thy 
Son Jesus Christ. Therefore with Angels and Arch- 
angels and with all the company of Heaven, we 

8 



114 



laud and magnify thy glorious name ; evermore prais- 
ing thee and saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God 
of Hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory: 
Glory be to thee Lord Most High. Amen. 



TEXTS. 



These tilings have I spoken to you being yet pre- 
sent with you. But the Comforter, which is the 
Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, 
he shall teach you all things and bring all things to 
your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 

St. John xiv. 25, 26. 

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be 
baptized every one of you , in the name of Jesus 
Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall re- 
ceive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise 
is unto you, and to your children, and to all that 
are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God 

Shall Call. Acts ii, 38, 39. 



PRAYER. 



Almighty and ever-living God, who hast vouch- 
safed to regenerate these thy servants by Water 
and the Holy Ghost, and hast given unto them for- 
giveness of all their sins ; strengthen them, we be- 
seech thee Lord, with the Holy Ghost the Com- 
forter, and daily increase in them thy manifold gifts 
of grace; the spirit of wisdom and understanding, 
the spirit of counsel and ghostly strength, the spirit 



115 

of knowledge and true godliness; and fill them 
Lord, with the spirit of thy holy fear, now and 
for ever. Amen. 



— From Psalter. Psalm xxii, Verses 24,25. — 

My praise is of thee in the great congregation; 
my vows will I perform in the sight of them that 
fear him. All the ends of the world shall remember 
themselves, and be turned unto the Lord: and all 
the kindreds of the nations shall worship before him. 



— Selection of Psalms liii, Verses 4, 5. — 

Ascending high in triumph thou 
Captivity hast captive led, 
And on thy people didst bestow 
Thy gifts and graces freely shed. 

E'en rebels shall partake thy grace, 
And humble proselytes repair 
To worship at thy dwelling-place 
And all the world pay homage there. 



— Hymn 75, Verses 1, 3, 4.— 

Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove, 
With all thy quickening powers; 

Kindle a flame of sacred love 
In these cold hearts of ours. 



116 

In vain we tune our lifeless songs, 
In vain we strive to rise ; 

Hosannas languish on our tongues 
And our devotion dies. 

Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove, 
With all thy quickening powers; 

Come, shed abroad a Saviour's love. 
And that shall kindle ours. 



COLLECT. 

God, who as at this time, didst teach the hearts 
of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light 
of thy Holy Spirit ; grant us by the same Spirit, 
to have a right judgment in all things , and ever- 
more to rejoice in his holy comfort : through the 
merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and 
reigneth with thee iu the unity of the same Spirit, 
one God, world without end. Amen. 



"0 Holy Ghost, who from the Father flbwest 
And from the Son, teach me how to pray ; 
Thou, who the love and peace of God bestowest, 
With faith and hope inspire and cheer my way ; 
Direct, control, and sanctify each motion 
Within my soul, and make it thus to be 
Prayerful, and still, and full of deep devotion, 
A holy temple worthy, Lord, of Thee." 



Ill 



TUESDAY IN WHITSUN -WEEK. 



IT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that 
we should at all times, and in all places give thanks 
unto thee, Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, ever- 
lasting God, for the precious death and merits of 
thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and for sending to 
us the Holy Ghost the Comforter, who are one 
with thee in thy Eternal Godhead. Therefore with 
Angels and Archangels and with all the company 
of Heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name, 
evermore praising thee, and saying, Holy, holy, holy, 
Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of 
thy glory: Glory be to thee Lord most High. 
Amen. 



TEXTS. 



For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, 
and floods upon the dry ground; I will pour my 
spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine 
offspring. One shall say, I am the Lord's, and 



118 

another shall call himself by the name of Jacob ; 
and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the 
Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel. 

Isaiah lxiv, 3, 5. 

So shall they fear the name of the Lord from 
the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. 
When the enemy shall come in like a flood , the 
Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against 
him. As for me, this is my covenant with them 
saith the Lord ; my spirit which is upon thee, and 
my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall 
not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth 
of thy seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and 
for ever. Isaiah lix> 19; 2 i. 

But ye beloved, building up yourselves in your 
most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep 
yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto eternal life. 

Epistle of Jude, 20, 21. 



PRATER. 



Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, who of 
thy divine Providence hast appointed divers Orders 
in thy Church, give thy grace we humbly beseech 
thee, to all those who are to be called to any office 
and administration in the same, and so replenish 
them with the truth of thy doctrine, and endue 
them with innocency of fife, that they may faith- 
fully serve thee, to thy glory of thy great name, 
and the benefit of thy Holy Church ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



119 






— From Psalter. Psalm li, Verses 11, 12, 


13.- 




Cast me not away from thy presence, 


and 


take 


not thy Holy Spirit from me. give me 


the 


com- 


fort of thy help again, and stablish me 


with 


thy 


free Spirit. Then shall I teach thy ways 


unto 


the 


wicked , and sinners shall be converted unto 1 


thee. 


— Selection of Psalms cxvii, Part 1, Verses 


7,8. 





Thy love through earth extends its fame 


. 




To all thy works expressed; 






These show thy praise, whilst thy great 


Name 


Is by thy servants blessed. 






They with a glorious prospect fired, 






Shall of thy kingdom speak; 






And thy great power, by all admired, 






Their lofty subject make. 






— Hymn 104, Verses 1,4.— 






0, Spirit of the living God, 






In all thy plenitude of grace, 






Where e'er the foot of man hath trod, 




Descend on our apostate race. 






Convert the nations ; far and high 






The triumphs of the cross record; 






The name of Jesus glorify, 






Till every people call him Lord. 









120 



COLLECT. 



God who as at this time didst teach the hearts 
of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light 
of the Holy Spirit; grant us by the same Spirit, 
to have a right judgment in all things, and ever- 
more to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the 
merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour , who liveth and 
reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, 
one Grod, world without end. Amen. 



-x&^Qm*~ 



JESUS OF NAZARETH PASSETH BY. 

"What meaneth this eager and gathering throng? 

I hear it and feel how it rushes along; 

Oh, wherefore are sighs intermingled with song"? 
Thus a blind man calls till they make reply: 
"Hush! Jesus of Nazareth passeth by". 

Yes, Jesus of Nazareth walketh so near, 
He passeth him by, — yet He pauseth to hear: 
That strong earnest cry hath attracted His ear; 
His mission is mercy, and that is why 
The Saviour of Nazareth passeth by. 

Then be not afraid in His pathway to tread, 
But quick, let before Him the blind man be led; 
O'er the deaf and the dumb shall "Ephphatha" be 
said: 

Lo ! e'en the vile leper is crouching nigh, 

For Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. 



121 

No anguishing heart groaned before Him in vain, 
He dried every tear, and relieved every pain: 
But that was of old; doth His love yet remain? 

Breaking hearts of to-day, may you and I 

See Jesus of Nazareth passing by? 

By Galilee's shores, on Lake Genesaret, 
Through the city of Nain, on Mount Olivet, 
Sweet trace of His footsteps is lingering yet; 

His love is eternal, — though now no eye 

Sees Jesus of Nazareth passing by. 

His love is eternal, and, oh! we are blest 
In feeling His presence, His arm giving rest; 
We sob out our sorrows that torture the breast 

Then hear a sweet voice that yields sigh for sigh 

As Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. 

And whether at home when the black clouds lower, 
Or whether at sea, when the storm hath power; 
In the horrible wilds ! In the soul's dark hour ! 

In vain shall all terrors our faint hearts try 

If Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. 

Poor Captive, with hands on the cold, iron bar, 
Whose sad eyes are watching the bright evening-star, 
There comes a soft footfall to Thee, from afar! 

Not the sentinel's tread : no ! no ! — do not sigh ! 

It was Jesus of Nazareth passing by. 

God's Peace now illumines the dungeon's damp floor, 
And Hope singeth out where Despair wept before: 
Lo ! Death's soothing angel hath opened his door ! 

All weary, the penitent smiles to die 

Since Jesus of Nazareth passed by. 



122 



Both the lofty and lowly in horror do flee, 
From the Outcasts of earth and their heart-break- 
ing glee; 
Yet, may (rod, in His pity, from sin set them free ! 
Then they, even they, shall by and by 
Find Jesus of Nazareth passing by. 

When the light has gone out from loved eyes that 

shone, 
And the hand moves no longer to grasp with our 

own, 
Then we turn from the grave with a shudder and 

groan, 
Asking: "Who will watch over them there all alone?" 
Yes, thus in the gloom of the night we cry 
Then hear, as from Heaven, this sweet reply: 
"Thy Dead in the churchyard in peace do He! 
In the Saviour's love, it is safe to die! 
And holy the Watcher, for ever nigh, 
'Tis Jesus of Nazareth passing by". 

M. E. Townsend. 



123 



SAINT BAENABAS' DAY. 

JUNE 11. 



THE original name of Barnabas was Joses, to 
which the Apostles added the surname of Barnabas. 
This name signifies the son of consolation, so called 
perhaps because he sold his land, and brought the 
money to the Apostles for the relief of the poor. 
He was a Jew of the tribe of Levi, of the country 
of Cyprus, who became a follower of Christ, and 
was afterwards an Apostle. Acts xiv, 14. 

Saint Paul and Saint Barnabas were connected 
in their ministry. Saint Barnabas began preach- 
ing the Gospel at Antioch, the place where the 
name Christians was first given to the followers of 
Christ. It is supposed that he suffered martyrdom 
at Salamis in the island of Cyprus. 



TEXTS. 



And Joses, who by the Apostles was surnamed 
Barnabas, (which is being interpreted, the Son of 



124 



consolation) a Levite and of the country of Cyprus, 
having land, sold it, and brought the money, and 
laid it at the Apostles' feet. Acts xiV5 3G> 37< 

It seemed good for us, being assembled with one 
accord, to send chosen men unto you with our be- 
loved Barnabas and Paul, men that have hazarded 
their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ- 
Acts xv, 25, 26. 

So being affectionately desirous of you, we were 
willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel 
of God only, but also our own souls, because ye 
were dear unto us. i Thess. a, 8. 



PRAYER. 



Stir up we beseech thee, Lord, the wills of thy 
faithful people ; that they, plenteously bringing forth 
the fruit of good works, may by thee be plente- 
ously rewarded; through Jesus Christ Our Lord. 
Amen. 



— From Psalter. Psalm cxlv, Verses 5, 7, 8. — 

As for me I will be talking of thy worship, thy 
glory, thy praise, and wondrous works. The me- 
morial of thy abundant kindness shall be showed; 
and men shall sing of thy righteousness. The Lord 
is gracious and merciful ; long suffering and of great 
goodness. 



125 

— Selection of Psalms xxix, Verse 5. - 

make but trial of his love, 
Experience will decide 
How blest they are, and only they 
Who in his truth confide. 



— Hymn 17G, Verse 5. — 

I want a true regard, 

A single, steady aim, 
Unmoved by threatening or reward 

To thee and thy great name; 
A jealous just concern 

For thine immortal praise ; 
A pure desire that all may learn 

And glorify thy grace. 



COLLECT. 



Lord God Almighty, who didst endue thy Apostle 
Barnabas with singular gifts of the Holy Ghost ; 
leave us not, we beseech thee, destitute of thy mani- 
fold gifts ; nor yet of grace to use them alway to 
thy honor and glory ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



K/CMfrg 



126 



OUR SAINTS. 



A heartfelt smile, a gentle tone, 
A thoughtful word, a tender touch, 

A passing act of kindness done, 
'Tis all, but it is much. 

The motions of a heart set free 
From all-absorbing, selfish care, 

A sweet concern that seems to me 
Like an unspoken prayer. 

A look that reads the inmost heart, 
Yet not with scrutiny severe, 

Nor as of one who sits apart, 
Nor knows our pain and fear; 

But as of one who, feeling all 

That we have felt, of sweet or sad, 

Has right to burst our sorrow's thrall, 
And bid us still be glad. 

These are not things to win applause; 

No earthly fame awaiteth such; 
Yet surely by the heavenly laws 

They are accounted much. 

Much in a world where fret and strain 
Wear daily on each finer sense; 

Much to the heart whose secret pain 
Draws help, it knows not whence; 



127 

Much to the faithless soul that heeds 
No truth that reason cannot prove; 

For better than a thousand creeds 
Is the sweet work of love. 

And they who give without restraint 
Such gifts, and ask them not again; 

What is there in the name of saint 
That they should not obtain? 

I think the angels in their height 
Might look to earth and envy them, 

And bend from out the spheres of light 
To touch their garments' hem. 

And that to brighter realms unknown 
Some joy, perchance, they may impart; 

For He who sits upon the throne 
Once blest the pure in heart. 

H. N. E. 



-^&Q^3^ 



128 



SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST'S BAY. 

JUNE 24. 



"JOHN the Baptist was the predicted forerunner 
of Jesus, and his mission forms the connecting link 
between the Old and the New Testaments. — He 
was the son of Zacharias and Elizabeth, and took 
the name which distinguishes him from John the 
Apostle and Evangelist, from his administration of 
the rite of Baptism to the multitudes of Judea and 
to our blessed Lord. He was beheaded in prison 
by order of Herod Antipas, the same Herod who 
mocked Jesus and arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe". 



TEXTS. 



And thou child, shalt be called the prophet of 
the Highest : for thou shalt go before the face of 
the Lord to prepare his way; to give knowledge 
of salvation unto his people by the remission of 
their sins, through the tender mercy of our Grod; 
whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited 



129 



us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and 
in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the 

Way of peace. St. Luke i, 76-79. 

John did baptize in the wilderness, and preached 
the remission of sins. St. Mark i, 4. 

Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, 
and all the region round about Jordan, and were 
baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. 

St. Matt, iii, 5, 6. 

When the wicked man turneth away from his 
wickedness which he hath committed, and doeth 
that which is lawful and right, he shall save his 

SOUl alive. Ezekiel viii , 27. 

And now why tarriest thou? arise and be bap- 
tized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name 
of the Lord. Acts xxii) 16 . 



PR1YER. 

Grant Lord, that as we are baptized into the 
death of thy blessed Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, 
so by continual mortifying our corrupt affections, 
we may be buried with him ; and through the grave, 
and gate of death, we may pass to our joyful re- 
surrection; for his merits who died and was buried 
and rose again for us, thy Son Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



— From Psalter. Psalm lxxxv, 9, 10, 11, 12. — 

For his salvation is nigh them that fear him, 
that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth 



130 

have met together ; righteousness and peace have 
kissed each other. Truth shall flourish out of the 
earth, and righteousness hath looked down from 
heaven. Yea, the Lord shall show loving-kindness, 
and our land shall give her increase. Righteous- 
ness shall go before him; and he shall direct his 
going in the way. 



— Selection of Psalms civ, Verses 3, 5, 6. — 

My soul with patience waits 

For thee, the living Lord; 
My hopes are on thy promise built, 

Thy never-failing word. 

Let Israel trust in God, 

No bounds his mercy knows; 
The plenteous source and spring from whence 

Eternal succour flows ; 

Whose friendly streams to us 

Supplies in want convey; 
A healing spring, a spring to cleanse . 

And wash our guilt away. 



— Hymn 151, Verses 1, 2, 4, 6. — 

Lord, my God, I long to know, 
Oft it causes anxious thought; 

Do I love thee, Lord, or no? 
Am I thine, or am I not? 



131 

Could my heart so hard remain, 
Prayer a task and burden prove, 

Any duty give me pain 

If I knew a Saviour's love? 

Yet I mourn my stubborn will, 
Find my sin a grief and thrall; 

Should I grieve for what I feel. 
If I did not love at all? 

Saviour let me love thee more, 

If I love at all, I pray; 
If I have not loved before, 

Help me to begin to day. 



COLLECT. 



Almighty God, by whose providence thy servant 
John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent 
to prepare the way of thy Son our Saviour, by 
preaching repentance ; make us so to follow his 
doctrine and holy life, that we may truly repent, 
according to his preaching ; and after his example 
constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and 
patiently suffer for the truth's sake ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



my^ 



'^-^G* 



132 



THE PROMISE AND THE PRESENCE. 

Not the pained, patient, desperate toiling on 
Of the lost wanderer in a starless night, 
Not the slow, sightless groping ere the Dawn 
Brings to the pilgrim promise, guidance, light; 

Christian not such thy state, 

Weary thou need'st not wait: 

Mercies propitiate 

Make thy way homeward straight. 

And not as those who in the wilderness, 

Heard with roused souls John's warning that there 

trod 
Close in his path One wise to weigh and bless, 
But, doubting, knew not yet the promised God: 

Christian! John's warning cry 

Christ's Presence standeth nigh; 

Cast not that promise by, 

Nor from the Presence fly! 

That fiery cry which woke the wilderness 
With strange and startling sense , from land to land 
And age to age comes burning down to us 
On herald-lips: "The Christ! He is at hand!" 

Christian! Not this the day, 

Doubting, to make delay; 

Christ comes! When, who can say? 

Cease not to watch and pray! 

J. T. 



133 



SAINT PETER'S DAY 



THE Apostle Simon Peter was the brother o f Andrew 
and son of Jona; and was a fisherman. Our Lord 
gave to him the surname of Peter, which signifies 
in Greek , Eock. ' He is also called Cephas , which 
likewise means, in the Syriac tongue, Rock or Stone. 
He was zealous , devoted , courageous , and many- 
times conspicuous in the history of our Saviour's 
life on earth. Saint Peter and Saint John were sent 
by Jesus to bring the ass on which he was to ride 
into Jerusalem: and they" two were also sent from 
Bethany to Jerusalem to prepare the passover. Saint 
Peter, with Saint John and Saint James, was chosen 
by the Lord to go with Him and witness the miracle 
of the raising from the dead of the daughter of 
Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue : the same three 
Apostles went up to the mount, at the time of our 
Lord's Transfiguration: and they were witnesses of 
the "Agony in the Garden". Yet, when the terrible 
moment of temptation came, Peter denied his Master! 



134 

But after our Saviour's resurrection, He spoke most 
touchingly to the bitterly repenting Apostle, and 
three times said: "Lovest thou me? Feed my lambs." 
Saint Peter wrote two general Epistles; one A. D. 60, 
the other A. D. 66. At the close of his second 
Epistle he warns "the beloved in the Lord" to 
beware lest they fall from their own steadfastness. 
He was crucified, it is said, with his head down- 
wards at Rome A. D. 69. 



TEXTS. 



And Jesus walking by the sea of Galilee, saw 
two brethren, Simon called Peter and Andrew his 
brother casting a net into the sea , for they were 
fishers. And he saith unto them, follow me, and 
I will make you fishers of men. And they straight- 
way left their nets and followed 1 him. 

St. Matth. iv, 18, 19, 20. 

And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter. 
And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how 
he had said unto him, before the cock crow thou 
shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went' out and 
wept bitterly. St. Luke xxii, 6i, 62, 

Be sober, be vigilant ; because your adversary the 
devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom 
he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, 
knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished 
in your brethren that are in the world. 

1 Peter v, 8, 9. 

He saith unto him the third time, Simon son of 
Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because 



135 



he said unto him the third time, "Lovest thou me? 
And he said unto him, Lord thou knowest all things ; 
thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto 
him, Feed my sheep. St. John xv, 19. 

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and 
John, and perceived that they were unlearned and 
ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took know- 
ledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 

Acts iv, 13. 



PRATER. 

That it may please thee to strengthen such as 
do stand ; and to comfort and help the weak-hearted ; 
and to raise up those who fall ; and finally to beat 
down Satan under our feet; We beseech thee to 
hear us good Lord. 



— From Psalter. Psalm xvii 5 ; Psalm xxxiv, 1 3 ; 
Psalm li, 9, 13.— 

hold thou up my goings in thy paths that my 
footsteps slip not. 

Keep thy tongue from evil and thy lips that they 
speak no guile. Turn thy face from my sins and 
put out all my misdeeds. Make me a clean heart 
God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast 
me not away from thy presence, and take not thy 
Holy Spirit from me. give me the comfort of 
thy help again, and stablish me with thy free Spirit. 
Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked, and 
sinners shall be converted unto thee. 



136 

— Selection of Psalms xcvii. — 

How blest are they who always keep 
The pure and perfect way; 

Who never from the sacred paths 
Of God's commandments stray ! 

0, then, that thy most holy will 
Might o'er my ways preside; 

And I, the course of all my life 
By thy direction guide. 



— Hymn 176, Yerse 3.— 

I want a godly fear 

A quick, discerning eye, 

That looks to thee when sin is near 

And sees the tempter fly ; 

A spirit still prepared, 

And armed with jealous care, 

For ever standing on its guard, 

And watching unto prayer. 



COLLECT. 

Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst 
give to thy Apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts, 
and commandedst him earnestly to feed thy flock: 
Make we beseech thee all Bishops and Pastors dili- 
gently to preach thy holy Word, and the people 
obediently to follow the same, that they may re- 
ceive the crown of everlasting glory ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



137 



HUMBLE SERVICE. 

It is an easy thing to say, 

"Thou knowest that I love Thee, Lord!" 
And easy in the bitter fray 

For His defence to draw the sword. 

But when at His dear hands we seek 
Some lofty trust for Him to keep, 

To our ambition vain and weak 

How strange His bidding: "Feed my sheep." 

"Too mean a task for love", we cry: 

Remembering not, if in our pride 
We pass His humble service by, 

Our vows are by our deeds denied. 

Father! help us to resign 

Our hearts, our strength, our wills to Thee ; 
Then e'en the lowliest work of Thine 

Most noble, blest, and sweet will be! 

H. Mc. E. Kimball. 




138 



SAINT JAMBS' THE APOSTLE'S 
DAY. 

JUL* 25. 



SAINT James was brother to John the beloved 
disciple, and son of Zebedee a noted fisherman, of 
Galilee. Our Saviour gave to them both the sur- 
name of Boanerges or "Sons of Thunder", on ac- 
count of their eloquent zeal. James with his brother 
John and Simon Peter witnessed Christ's Transfigu- 
ration and His agony in the garden of Gethsemane. 
Saint James preached the Gospel in Samaria and 
Judea where he suffered martyrdom. Herod Agrippa 
"killed James, the brother of John with tlie sword". 

See Acts. ii. 

"He was the first of the twelve Apostles who suf- 
fered martydom, and the only one whose martyr- 
dom is recorded in the Holy Scriptures. — Particulars 
of the deaths of all the Apostles are given in the 
eccles astical Histories of the times in which they 
lived". 



130 



TEXTS. 

And going on from thence he saw other two 
brethren, James the son of Zebedee and John his 
brother in a ship with Zebedee their father, mend- 
ing their nets; and he called them, and they im- 
mediately left the ship and their father and fol- 
lowed him. St Matt, iv, 21, 22. 

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, if any man 
will come after me, let him deny himself and take 
up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will 
lose his life for my sake shall find it. 

St. Matt, xvii, 24, 25. 

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James 
and John his brother, and bringeth them up into 
an high mountain apart. And was transfigured be- 
fore them ; and his face did shine as the sun, and 
his raiment was white as the light. 

St. Matt, xvii, 1, 2. 

About that time Herod the King stretched forth 
his hands to vex certain of the Church, and he 
killed James the brother of John with the sword. 

Acts xii, 1, 2. 



PRATER. 

Almighty and most merciful God, of thy bounti- 
ful goodness keep us, we beseech thee, from all 
things that may hurt us ; that we being ready both 
in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those 
things which thou commandest ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 



140 



— From Psalter, Psalm xxvii, Verses 14, 15. — 

The ungodly have drawn out the sword and have 
bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy 
and to slay such as are of a right conversation. 
Their sword shall go through their own heart, and 
their bow shall be broken. 



- Selection of Psalms xxvi , Verses 8, 9. - 

all ye Saints, the Lord 

With eager love pursue; 
Who to the just will help afford, 

And give the proud their due. 

Ye that on God rely, 

Courageously proceed; 
For he will still your hearts supply 

With strength in time of need. 



- Hymn 212, Verse 1. — 

Lo! what a cloud of witnesses 
Encompass us around ; 
Men once like us with suffering tried, 
But now with glory crowned. 



141 
COLLECT. 

Grant merciful God, that as thine Holy Apostle 
Saint James, leaving his father and all that he had, 
without delay was obedient unto the calling of thy 
Son Jesus Christ and followed him ; so we, forsak- 
ing all worldly and carnal affections may be ever- 
more ready to follow thy holy commandments, through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



THE USES OF LIFE. 

"Though we climb fame's proudest height, 

Though we sit on hills afar, 

Where the thrones of triumph are; 
Though all deepest mysteries be open to our sight; 

If we win not by that power 

For the world another dower, 
If this great humanity share not in our gain, 
We have lived our life in vain." 

"Though our lot be calm and bright; 

Though upon our brows we wear 

Youth, and grace, and beauty rare, 
And the hours go swiftly, singing in their flight, 

If we let no glory down 

Any darkened life to crown 
If our grace and joyance have no ministry for pain, 
We have lived our life in vain". 



142 



u To the giver shall be given; 

If thou would'st walk in light 

Make other spirits bright; 
Who, seeking for himself alone, ever entered heaven ? 

In blessing we are blest; 

In labour find our rest. 
If we bend not to the world's work , heart , and 

hand and brain, 
We have lived our life in vain." 

"Selfishness is utter loss; 

Life's most perfect joy and good, 

Ah! how few have understood! 
Only One hath proved it fully, and He died upon 
the cross, 

Taking on Himself the curse 

So to bless a Universe. 
If we follow not his footsteps, through the pathway 

straight and plain, 
We have lived our life in vain". 




143 



SAINT BARTHOLOMEWS DAY 

AUGUST 24. 



SAINT Bartholomew was of Cana in Galilee. His 
name means son of Tolmi. He is also called Na- 
thaniel. Saint Philip first brought him to our Sa- 
viour (See St. John, chap, i, verses 43 to 51 in- 
clusive.) On seeing him approach Jesus exclaimed: 
"Behold an Israelite indeed in whom there is no 
guile 1 '! This Apostle is mentioned, by his name 
of Nathaniel, as having been in company with six 
others fishing on the sea of Tiberias when Christ 
appeared (the third time after His resurrection), and 
when He, standing upon the shore, performed the 
miracle of the great draught of fishes, which caused 
Him to be recognised by Saint John who said: "It 
is the Lord". Saint Bartholomew preached the Gospel 
throughout the East. He was flayed alive and then 
crucified with his head downwards, in Albanople, a 
city of Armenia where he endeavoured to reclaim the 
people from idolatry". 



144 



TEXTS. 



Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall 
see God. • St . Matt< t> 8 

Follow peace with all men, and hohness, with- 
out which no man shall see the Lord. 

Hebrews xii, 14. 

The eyes of the Lord are in every place behold- 
ing the evil and the good. Proverbs xv, 3. 

And in their mouth was found no guile, for they 
are without fault before the throne of God. 

Eevelation xiv, 5. 



PRAYER. 



God who hast prepared for those who love 
thee such good things as pass man's understand- 
ing; pour into our hearts such love towards thee, 
that we loving thee above all things, may obtain 
thy promises , which exceed all that we can desire ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



— From Psalter. Psalm xvii, Verses 1,2.— 

Hear the right Lord, consider my complaint, 
and hearken unto my prayer, that goeth not out 
of feigned lips. Let my sentence come forth from 
thy presence; and let thine eyes look upon the 
thing that is equal. 



145 



— Selection of Psalms lxxxvi, Verses 3, 4, 5. - 

Happy are they and only they 
Who from thy judgments never stray, 
Who know what 's right nor only so, 
But always practice what they know. 

Extend to me that favor Lord, 
Thou to thy chosen dost afford; 

When thou return'st to set them free 

Let thy salvation visit me. 

Oh may I worthy prove to see 

Thy saints in full prosperity! 

That I the joyful choir may join, 
And account thy people's triumph mine. 



— Hymn 46, Verse 2. — 

Tell how he cometh ; from nation to nation, 
How free to the faithful he offers salvation, 
The heart-cheering news let the earth echo round ; 
How his people with joy everlasting are crowned. 



COLLECT. 



Oh Almighty and everlasting Grod, who didst give 
to thy Apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe 
and to preach thy Word; grant we beseech thee 
unto thy Church, to love that word which he be- 
lieved , and both to preach and receive the same ; 
through Jesus Christ. Amen. 

10 



146 



THE TWO PEOSPECTS. 

Look down for traffic, noise and strife 

Look up for peace, for truth, for life; 
Look down for grovelling, earth-born schemes, 
Look up for holy, heavenly themes; 

Look down for passions fierce and wild, 

Look up for resignation mild; 
Look down into the cold, dark grave, 
Look up to Christ who died to save! 

M. E. TOWNSEND. 




u; 



SAINT MATTHEW'S DAY. 

SEPTEMBER 21. 



SAINT Matthew, also called Levi, was a publican 
or collector of taxes under the Roman Government. 
He was sitting in the house beside Lake Gennes- 
saret , exercising his profitable vocation when Jesus 
came and called him away to be his disciple. ''And 
he left all, rose up and followed Him' 1 , says Saint 
Luke, adding "And Levi (Matthew) made him a 
great feast in his own house". (See St. Luke chap, v, 
27, 28, 29.) Historians tell us that Saint Matthew 
remained fifteen years in Jerusalem, after the death 
of Christ, preaching to the Jews, and endeavoring 
to convert them : and preached the Gospel success- 
fully in Judea, Parthia, and Ethiopia. He wrote 
the Gospel which bears his name. It is said, that 
he suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia. A. D. 60. " 



14S 



TEXTS. 

And as Jesus passed forth from thence he saw 
a man named Matthew , sitting at the receipt of 
custom; and he saith unto him, follow me. And 
he arose and followed him. st . Matth iv, 9. 

How much better is it to get wisdom than gold ! 
And to get understanding rather to be chosen than 

Silver. Proverbs xvi, 16. 

The rich and poor meet together: The Lord is 
the maker of them all. Proverbs xxii, 2. 

Sell that ye have and give alms; provide your- 
selves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the 
heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, 
neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure 
is there will your heart be also. st. Luke xii, 33, 34. 



PKAYER. 

Lord, who hast taught us that all our doings 
without charity are nothing worth ; send thy Holy 
Ghost, and pour into our hearts that most excellent 
gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all 
virtues, without which, whosover liveth is counted 
dead before thee. Grant this for thine only Son 
Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. 



— From Psalter. Psalm xv, Verses 1,2,6,7. — 

Lord, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle? or who 
shall rest upon thy holy hill? Even he that leadeth 
an uncorrupt life and doeth the thing which is right, 



149 

and speaketh the truth from his heart: He that 
hath not given his money upon usury, nor taken 
reward against the innocent; Whoso doeth these 
things shall never fall. 



Selection of Psalms xcvii, Part 14, Verses 4, 5. 

Do thou to thy most just commands 
Incline my willing heart; 
Let no desire of worldly wealth 
From thee my thoughts divert. 

From those vain objects turn mine eyes, 
Which this false world displays; 
But give me lively power and strength 
To keep thy righteous ways. 



— Hymn 204, Verses 1, 2, 4. — 

Oh happy is the man who hears 

Religious warning voice, 
And who celestial wisdom makes 

His early, only choice. 

For she has treasures greater far 
Than East or West unfold; 

More precious are her bright rewards 
Than gems or stores of gold. 

And as her holy labors rise, 

So her rewards increase ; 
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, 

And all her paths are peace. 



150 



COLLECT. 



Almighty God, who, by thy blessed Son didst 
call Matthew from the receipt of custom to be an 
Apostle and Evangelist; grant us grace to forsake 
all covetous desires and inordinate love of riches, 
and to follow the same, thy Son Jesus Christ, who 
liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, 
one God, world without end. Amen. 



-*&§&&*. 



CHRIST'S LONELINESS. 

Birds have their quiet nest, 
Foxes their holes, and man his peaceful bed; 

All creatures have their rest, 
But Jesus had not where to lay His head. 

Winds have their hour of calm, 
And waves to slumber on the voiceless deep; 

Eve hath its breath of balm 
To hush all senses and all sounds to .sleep. 

The wild deer hath its lair, 
The homeward flocks the shelter of their shed ; 

All have their rest from care, 
But Jesus had not where to lay His head. 

And yet he came to give 
The weary and the heavy-laden rest, 

To bid the sinner live, 
And soothe our giiefs to slumber on His breast. 



151 



"What then, am I, my God, 
Permitted thus the paths of peace to tread, 

Peace purchased by the blood 
Of Him who had not where to lay His head? 

I who once made Him grieve, 
I who once bid His gentle Spirit mourn; 

Whose hand essayed to weave 
For His meek brow the cruel crown of thorn. 

why should I have peace? 
Why? but for that unchanged, undying love 

Which would not, could not, cease, 
Until it made me heir of joy above. 

Yes! but for pardoning grace, 
I feel I never should in glory see 

The brightness of that face, 
That once was pale and agonized for me. 

Let the birds seek their nest, 
Foxes their holes, and man his peaceful bed; 

Come, Saviour, in my breast 
Deign to repose Thine oft-rejected head! 

Come! give me rest, and take 
The only rest on earth Thou lovest within 

A heart, that for Thy sake 
Lies bleeding, broken, penitent for sin. 

J. S. Monsell. 



^^t^~ 



152 



SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL 

ANGELS' DAY. 

SEPTEMBER 29. 



TO Thee all Angels cry aloud; the Heavens and 
all the powers therein. 

To Thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do 
cry Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Sabaoth; Heaven 
and Earth are full of the Majesty of thy Glory. 

(From the TE DEUM.) 



Angels or heavenly "ministering spirits" have 
by God's will manifested themselves to human 
beings on numerous occasions since the creation of 
the world. It is interesting to consider the vari- 
ous kinds of manifestation. Sometimes we read 
that the Angels "called 1 ' the human being by name. 
Again "they met him", or appeared in a "flame of 
fire", or "with a sword drawn in the hand", or 
"sitting under an oak tree". Zechariah in speak- 
ing of his visions, says no fewer than ten times, 



153 

"The Angel that talked with me." It will be found 
on searching the Holy Scriptures that the Angels 
Michael and Gabriel are the two most prominently 
mentioned. The following texts are recommended 
for the reader's consideration. 



TEXTS. 



Cherubims at the gate of the Garden of Eden. 

Genesis iii, 24. 

The Angel of God "called" to Hagar. 

Genesis xxi, 17. 

The Angel of the Lord called unto. Abraham. 

Genesis xxii, 10, 11. 

Jacob's vision of Angels on the ladder. 

Genesis xxviii. 

And Jacob went on his way and the Angels of 

God met him. Genesis xxx, 1. 

The Angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in a 
burning bush in a flame of fire. Exodus iii. 

The Angel of the Lord was standing in the way 
of Balaam and his ass; and his sword was drawn 

in his hand. Exodus xxii, 22. 

An Angel of the Lord sat under an oak tree, 
and thus appeared unto Gideon and said . . . 

Judges vi, 11. 

An Angel appeared unto Manoah's wife and pro- 
phesied the birth of her son Samson. judges xiii. 

And the Angel of the Lord said unto Elijah . . . 

2 Kings i, 15. 



154 

The Angel of the Lord smote, in the camp of 
the Assyrians, the host of Sennacherib. 

2 Kings xix, 35. 

Isaiah's vision of the Lord in His glory sur- 
rounded by Seraphim s; "And one cried unto an- 
other and said, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of 

hosts". Isaiah vi. 

Read from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel the 
10. chap., relating his visions of Cherubim s. 

See Daniel chap, x, beginning at verse 10; also 
Daniel chap. xii. — In both of these Chapters mention 
is made of the archangel Michael. 

In the Gospel of St. Matthew we read that the 
Angel of the Lord appeared in dreams to Joseph 
the husband of Mary on four different occasions. 

The devil left Jesus, and Angels came and ministered 

Unto Him. St. Matth. iv, 11. 

Yes, as his nature was human as well as divine, 
as he was a man, Angels ministered unto him. And 
in his last hours of mortal "agony" there appeared 
an Angel soothing and "strengthening him", as 
were ad in St. Luke xxn, 43. 

But "When the Son of man shall come in his 
glory, and all the holy Angels with him, then shall 
he sit upon the throne of his glory." 

St. Matth. xxv, 31. 

Angels announced to the Shepherds that the 
Saviour was born into the world. St. Luke ii. 

And Angels proclaimed to the women that the 
Saviour had risen from the dead. St. Luke xxiv. 

It was the Angel Gabriel who was "sent from 
God" to Zacharias to speak unto him of the glad 



155 

tidings regarding the son, John the Baptist, who 
should be born unto him. And it was the same 
Angel Gabriel who announced afterwards to the 
Virgin Mary the wonderful news that she was to 
be the mother of the Saviour of mankind. 

St. Luke i. 

In St. John's Gospel, chap, v, it is related that 
at a certain season an Angel went down unto the 
pool of Bethesda and "troubled the water" thereby- 
rendering it efficacious for the cure of those suffer- 
ing from disease and infirmity. 

At the time of our Saviour's Ascension into Heaven, 
the wondering Apostles as they were "steadfastly" 
looking up, saw two Angels. Acts i, 9, 10, 11. 

The Angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, 
setting free the Apostles. Acts v, 17, is, 19, 20. 

The . Angel of the Lord spake unto Philip , and 
commanded him to arise . . . Acts vm, 26. 

In Acts chap, x we find that the Angel of God 
came to the centurion Cornelius, saying unto him 
that his prayers and his alms were acceptable 
unto God. 

In Acts xii, Peter's delivery from prison by means 
of an Angel is recorded. 

When the Apostle Paul was in the ship on his 
way as a prisoner to Rome, while the tempest raged 
and all hearts were faint with fear, there stood 
by him at night an Angel of God saying, Fear not 

Paul. Acts xxvii. 

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a 
voluntary humility and worshipping of Angels, in- 



156 

trading into those things which he hath not seen, 
vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind. 

Colossians ii, 18. 

By the resurrection of Jesus Christ : Who is gone 
unto Heaven, and is on the right hand of God; 
Angels and authorities and powers being made sub- 
ject Unto him. 1 Peter iii, 21, 22. 

For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven 
with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and 
with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ 
shall rise first. 1 Thess. iv, 16. 

And he saith unto him: Verily, verily, I say unto 
you, hereafter ye shall see Heaven open, and the 
Angels of God ascending and descending upon the 

Son of man. St. John i, 51. 

And behold, I heard the voice of many Angels, 
round about the throne, and the beasts and the 
elders ; and the number of them was ten thousand 
times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 
saying with a loud voice, worthy is the Lamb that 
was slain, to re3eive power, and riches, and wis- 
dom and strength, and honour and glory and blessing. 

Eelevation v, 11. 12. 



PRATER. 

We beseech thee, Lord, pour thy grace into 
our hearts ; that as we have known the incarnation 
of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an Angel, 
so by his Cross and passion we may be brought 
unto the glory of his resurrection; through the 
same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



157 

— From Psalter. Psalm ciii, Verses 19,20,21,22.— 

The Lord hath prepared his seat in Heaven, and 
his kingdom ruleth over all. praise the Lord, 
ye Angels of his, ye that excel in strength ; ye that 
fulfil his commandment and hearken unto the voice 
of his word. praise the Lord, all ye his hosts ; 
ye servants of his that do his pleasure. speak 
good of the Lord, all ye works of his, in all places 
of his dominion ; praise thou the Lord, my soul. 



— Selection of Psalms Ixxxi, Verse 11. — 

The Lord, the universal King, 
In heaven has fixed his lofty throne; 

To him, ye Angels, praises sing, 
In whose great strength his power is shown. 



— Hymn 44, Verses 1,2,5,6.— 

While Angels thus Lord rejoice, 
Shall men no anthem raise? 

may we lose these useless tongues, 
When we forget to praise. 

Then let us swell responsive notes, 
And join the heavenly throng; 

For Angels no such love have known 
As we, to wake their song. 

Glory to God, in highest strains, 
By highest worlds is paid; 

Be glory then by us proclaimed, 
And by our lives displayed. 



158 

Till we attain those blissful realms, 
Where now our Saviour reigns; 

To rival these celestial choirs 
In their immortal strains. 



COLLECT. 



everlasting God, who hast ordained and con- 
stituted the services of Angels and men in a won- 
derful order; mercifully grant, that as thy holy 
Angels always do thee service in Heaven, so by 
thy appointment, they may succor and defend us 
on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



But over all our tears God's rainbow bends, 
To all our cries a pitying ear he lends; . 
Yea to the feeble sound of man's lament 
How often have his messengers been sent ! 
No barren glory circles round His throne, 
By mercy's errands were his Angels known; 
Where hearts were heavy, and where eyes were dim, 
There did the brightness radiate from Him; 
God's pity, clothed in an apparent form, 
Starred with a polar light the human storm, 
Floated o'er tossing seas man's sinking bark, 
And for all dangers built one sheltering ark. 



159 

When a slave's child lay dying, parched with thirst, 

Till o'er the arid waste a fountain hurst, 

When Abraham's mournful hand upheld the knife 

To smite the silver cord of Isaac's life, 

When faithful Peter in his prison slept, 

When lions to the feet of Daniel crept, 

When the tried three walked through the furnace 

glare, 
Believing God was with them, even there, 
When to Bethesda's sunrise-smitten wave 
Poor trembling cripples crawled their limbs to lave : 
In all the various forms of human trial 
Brimming that cup filled from a bitter vial, 
Which even the suffering Christ with fainting cry 
Under God's will had shudderingly passed by: 
To hunger, pain and thirst, and human dread; 
Imprisonment; sharp sorrow for the dead; 
Deformed contraction; burdensome disease; 
Humbling and fleshly ill! — to all of these 
The shining messengers of comfort came, 
God's Angels, — healing in God's holy name. 

Hon. Mrs. Norton. 




ICO 



SAINT LUKE THE EVANGELIST'S 
DAY. 

OCTOBER 18. 



oAIKT Luke was born at Antioch and- became a 
Physician. He wrote the gospel bearing his name, 
and the Acts of the Apostles. He preached in Egypt 
and Greece. Saint Jerome says, "he was hanged 
on an olive tree, by a party of Greek infidels, at 
the age of 84." — Saint Luke's Gospel begins with 
a statement of events which occurred just before 
the birth of Jesus ; and then goes on to relate the 
story of His life, death, resurrection and ascension, 
The writer commences an account of the doings 
or "Acts" of the Apostles from the time (A. D. 33) 
when they, watching Christ's Ascension, as the 
cloud received him out of their sight heard the 
two Angels say, "Why stand ye gazing up into 
Heaven"? He then tells us that the eleven Apostles 
returned to Jerusalem from Mount Olivet, where 
they all continued with one accord in prayer and 
supplication. 



1G1 

Next he relates that in those days "they ap- 
pointed two" and prayed to God to show which he 
had chosen, that the elected one might "take part 
of this ministry and Apostleship, from which Judas 
by transgression fell". "And they gave forth their 
lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was 
numbered with the eleven Apostles." 

Then came the wonderful day of Pentecost. And 
now Saint Luke proceeds to recount many acts of 
these twelve men and others, who as disciples joined 
the little band from year to year ; going about from 
place to place , preaching , baptizing , healing the 
sick, praying, fasting; and suffering persecution, 
imprisonment and martyrdom ! After this relation 
of their deeds during a period of over thirty years, 
he concludes his narrative (A. D. 65) with these 
words: "And Paul dwelt two whole years in his 
own hired house" (in Rome) "and received all that 
came to him ; preaching the Kingdom of God, and 
teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus 
Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him." 
It is evident that Saint Luke was very much in 
the company of Saint Paul. The latter in his Epistle 
to the Colossians , written A. D. 64, says: "Luke 
the beloved Physician, and Demas greet you." His 
second Epistle to Timothy, written A. D. 66, two 
years later , was sent from Rome , when he was 
brought before Nero the second time ; and it bears 
strong testimony to Saint Luke's devotion and con- 
stancy to him. We read in chap. iv. : "Demas hath 
forsaken me having loved this present world. Only 
Luke is with me." 



162 



TEXTS. 



Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set 
forth in order a declaration of those tilings which 
are most surely believed among us; even as they 
delivered them unto us, which from the beginning 
were eyewitnesses , and ministers of the word ; it 
seemed good to me also , having had perfect under- 
standing of all things from the very first, to write 
unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that 
thou mightest know the certainty of those things 
wherein thou hast been instructed. 

St. Luke i, 1, 2, 3, 4. 

The former treatise have I made, Theophilus, 
of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until 
the day in which he was taken up, after that he 
through the Holy Ghost had given commandments 
unto the Apostles whom had he chosen. Acts i, 1, 2. 

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, 
do the work of an Evangelist, make full proof of 
thy ministry. • 2 Timothy iv, 5. 



PRAYER. 

Almighty and Everlasting God, by whose Spirit 
the whole body of the Church is governed and 
sanctified; receive our supplications and prayers 
which we offer before thee, for all estates of men 
in thy Holy Church, that every member of the 
same in his vocation and ministry, may truly and 
gladly serve thee through our Lord and Saviour 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 



163 



— From Psalter. Psalm lvi, Verses 14,15, 16,17. — 

My mouth shall daily speak of thy righteousness 
and salvation; for I know no end thereof. I will 
go forth in the strength of the Lord God, and will 
make mention of thy righteousness only. Thou 
God, hast taught me from my youth up until, now; 
therefore will I tell of thy wondrous works. For- 
sake me not God, in mine old age, when I am 
grey-headed until I have showed thy strength unto 
this generation, and thy power to all them that are 
yet for to come. 



— Selection of Psalms lx, Verses 2,3,5.— 

My tongue shall oracles proclaim, 
Which ancient times have known; 

The truths which our forefathers care 
To us have handed down. 

We will not hide them from our sons 
Our offspring shall be taught 

The praises of the Lord whose strength 
Has works of wonders wrought; 

That generations yet to come, 
Should to their unborn heirs 

Religiously transmit the same 
And they again to theirs. 



104 



— Hymn 9, Verses 1,2.— 

The Saviour when to Heaven he rose 
In splendid triumph o'er his foes, 
Scattered his gifts on men "below, 
And wide his royal bounties flow. 

Hence sprang the Apostles' honored name, 

Sacred beyond heroic fame ; 

Hence dictates the prophetic sage 
And hence the Evangelic page. 



COLLECT. 



Almighty God who called'st Luke the Physician, 
whose praise is in the Gospel, to be an Evangelist 
and Physician of the soul ; may it please thee, that 
by the wholesome medicines of the doctrine delivered 
by him, all the diseases of our souls may be healed, 
through the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord. 
Amen. 



105 



COMFORT FOR THE SICK. 

Poor body, tliou art weak ! 

Words cannot speak 
Thine anguish and distress 
The hitter restlessness 

The sinking grief 

With no relief. 

Poor body ! Thou art frail : 

Of no avail 
Thy little strength to try, 
For thou must lie 

Languid and full of pain 

Crying for help, in vain. 

Poor body, patient lie; 

For by and bye 
When Jesus deems it best 
His love will give thee rest: 

Then trust alway 

And watch and pray. 

Poor body, never fear! 
The Good Physician's near 
To heal , and give thee sweet repose, when thou art 
sad and dreary, 
For gentle Jesus said, 
Ere on the Cross he bled: 
"Come unto me, ye heavy-laden, come to me ye 
weary". 

M. E. Townsend. 



166 



SAINT SIMON AND SAINT JUDE'S 
DAY. 

OCTOBER 28. 



oAINT Simon was called Simon the Canaanite to 
distinguish him from the Apostle Simon Peter, 
and on account of his warm and energetic tempe- 
rament he was known as Simon Zelotes. He preached 
the Gospel in Greece and Africa. It is said that 
he preached also in Great Britain, and was cruci- 
fied there. 

Saint Jude, also one of the twelve Apostles, was 
the son of Cleophas, and brother of James the Less. 
He was known by the names of Lebbeus and Thad- 
deus, singnifying prudence arid zeal; which names 
likewise served to distinguish him from Judas the 
betrayer. He preached the Gospel in Judea, Galilee, 
Samaria, and Armenia.' It is said that he suffered 
martyrdom in Persia. Saint Jude wrote one Epistle, 
addressed to Christians generally. 

There is a tradition that Saint Simon and Saint 
Jude were often associated in their Christian ]abors. 



167 



TEXTS. 

(See St. Luke xvi, 13, 14, 15, 16. — Also Acts i, 13.) 

Judas saith unto him (not Iscariot), Lord how 
is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and 
not unto the world ? st. John xv, 22. 

Jude the servant of Jesus Christ , and brother of 
James, to them that are sanctified by God the 
Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: 
Mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied. 

Epistle of St. Judc, Verses 1, 2. 

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith 
from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 
Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus 
Christ in sincerity. Amen. Ephes. vi, 23, 24. 



PRAYER. 



Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given 
unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of 
a true faith to acknowledge the glory of the eternal 
Trinity, and in the power of the Divine Majesty 
to worship the Unity; we beseech thee that thou 
wouldest keep us steadfast in this faith, and ever- 
more defend us in all adversities, who lives t and 
reignest one God world without end. Amen. 



— From Psalter. Psalm xxxiv , Verse 3. — 

praise the Lord with me, and let us magnify 
his name together. 



168 



Selection of Psalms lxv, Part 2, Vers.es 5, 

To all thy servants, Lord, let this 
Thy wondrous work be known; 
And to our offspring yet unborn 
Thy glorious power be shown. 

Let thy bright rays upon us shine, 
Give thou our work success ; 
The glorious work we have in hand. 
Do thou vouchsafe to bless. 



— Hymn 134, Verses 6, 7. — 

In prayer on earth the saints are one; 

They're one in word and mind, 
When with the Father and the Son 

Sweet fellowship they find. 

Thou, by whom we come to God, 
The Life, the Truth, the Way, 

The path of prayer Thyself hast trod ; 
Lord, teach us how to pray. 



COLLECT. 



Almighty God, who hast built thy Church 
upon the foundation of the Apostles and the Pro- 
phets, Jesus Christ himself being the head corner- 
stone; grant us so to be joined together in unity 



169 



of spirit by their doctrine, that we may be made 
an holy temple acceptable unto thee ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



■^*&§&&'< 



THE DARK ANGEL. 

Count each affliction, whether light or grave, 
God's messenger sent down to thee. Do thou 
With courtesy receive him: rise and bow; 

And ere his shadow pass thy threshold crave 

Permission first his heavenly feet to lave; 
Then lay before him all thou hast; allow 
No cloud of passion to usurp thy brow 

Or mar thy hospitality; no wave 
Of mortal tumult to obliterate 

Thy soul's marmoreal calmness. Grief should be 
Like joy, majestic, equable, sedate, 

Confirming, cleansing, raising, making free : 

Strong to consume small troubles ; to commend 

Great thoughts, pure thoughts, thoughts lasting to 
the end. 

Aubrey de Yere. 



*^5^>°£^- 



170 



ALL SAINTS" DAY. 

NOVEMBER 1. 



I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY GrHOST ; THE HOLY CATHOLIC 
CHURCH, THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS. 

(From the Apostles Creed.) 



— From the "Canticle".— 

ye spirits and souls of the righteous, bless ye 
the Lord; praise him and magnify him for ever. 



— From the TE DEUM — 

The glorious company of the Apostles praise Thee. 
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets praise Thee. 
The noble army of Martyrs praise Thee. The holy 
Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge 
Thee, the Father, of an infinite Majesty; Thine 
adorable, true and only Son ; also the Holy Ghost 
the Comforter. 



171 

TEXTS. 

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto 
me, write , blessed are the dead which die in the 
Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit that 
they may rest from their labors; and their works 

do follow them. Revelation xiv, 13. 

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence 
also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. 
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be 
fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to 
the working whereby he is able even to subdue all 
things unto himself. Phil. m t 20, 21. 

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things 
which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right 
hand of God. When Christ who is our life shall 
appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to 
the which ye also are called in one body; and be ye 
thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly 
in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one an- 
other in psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs, sing- 
ing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 

Colossians. i, 1, 4, 15, 16. 

So we, being many are one body in Christ, and 
every one members one of another. Romans xii, 5. 

Behold what manner of love the Father hath be- 
stowed upon us, that we should be called the sons 
of God; therefore the world knoweth us not, because 
it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of 
God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be : 
but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be 
like him ; for we shall see him as he is. i j h U m 1 2. 



172 



Almighty God, with whom do live the spirits of 
those who depart hence in the Lord , and with 
whom the souls of the faithful, after they are de- 
livered from the burden of the flesh, are in joy and 
felicity; we give thee hearty thanks for the good 
examples of all those thy servants, who having 
finished their course in faith, do now rest from their 
labors. And we beseech thee, that we with all those 
who are departed in the true faith of thy Holy 
Name, may have our perfect consummation and bliss, 
both in body and soul, in thy eternal and everlasting 
glory: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



— From Psalter. Psalm xvi, Verses 3, 9, 10. — 

All my delight is upon the saints that are in 
the earth, and upon such as excel in virtue. I have 
set God always before me : for he is on my right 
hand, therefore I shall not fall. Wherefore my heart 
was glad, and my glory rejoiced; my flesh also shall 
rest in hope. 



— Selection of Psalms xxx. Verse 3, 4< — 

Since of thy goodness all partake, 

With what assurance should the just, 

Thy sheltering wings their refuge make, 
And saints to thy protection trust ! 

Such guests shall to thy courts be led. 

To banquet on thy love's repast ; 
And drink, as from a fountain's head. 

Of joys that shall for ever last. 



173 



COLLECT. 

Almighty God who hast knit together thine 
elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical 
body of thy Son Christ our Lord; grant us grace 
so to follow thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and 
godly living, that we may come to those unspeak- 
able joys, which thou hast prepared for those who 
unfeignedly love thee; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



— Hymn 191. — 

Vital spark of heavenly flame, 

Quit, oh quit this mortal frame ; 
Trembling, hoping, ling'ring, flying, 
0, the pain, the bliss of dying ! 

Cease fond nature, cease thy strife, 

And let me languish into life. 

Hark, they whisper, Angels say, 
Sister spirit, "come away' 1 ! 

What is this absorbs me quite; 

Steals my senses, shuts my sight, 
Drowns my spirit, draws my breath? 
Tell me, my soul, can this be death? 

The world recedes, it disappears ; 
Heaven opens on my eyes; my ears 

With sounds seraphic ring; 

Lend, lend, your wings ; I mount, I fly ; 
grave, where is thy victory! 
death, where is thy sting ! 



174 



A CLOSING PRAYER. 



God, whose days are without end, and whose 
mercies cannot be numbered ; make us, we beseech 
thee deeply sensible of the shortness and uncertainty 
of human life; and let thy Holy Spirit lead us 
through this vale of misery, in holiness and right- 
eousness, all the days of our lives : That when we 
shall have served thee, in our generation, we may 
be gathered unto our fathers, having the testimony 
of a good conscience, in the communion of the 
catholic Church, in the confidence of a certain faith ; 
in the comfort of a reasonable, religious and holy 
hope; in favor with Thee our God, and in perfect 
charity with the world. All which we ask through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



"One family in Heaven and Earth, 
Bound by the ties of second birth; 
None' dead, tho' some their work have done, 
Their battle fought, their freedom won; 
All in the Lord alive and blest, 
Tho' some may toil and some may rest." 



175 



2 Corinthians xiii, 11, 13, 14. 

Finally brethren, faeewell. Be perfect, be 

OF GOOD COMFORT, BE OF ONE MIND, LIVE IN PEACE ; 

AND the God of love and peace shall be with you. 

All the saints salute you. 

The grace of our lord Jesus Christ, and the 
love of God, and the communion of the holy 
Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 



Deacidified using the Bookkeeper p 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxic 



